Novak Djokovic has said that he still has the drive to hunt more in his tennis career as he claimed to be already visualizing his victory at this year’s Roland Garros.
Talking to CNN, the 24-time Grand Slam champion responded to the notion that the Serbian’s desire is waning as he reaches the twilight of his career. While talking to the American cable news network, Djokovic said that he is already thinking about clinching a record-extending 25th Grand Slam crown by defending his title at French major.
In a conversation conducted alongside NFL legend Tom Brady, Djokovic divulged that he is already in the locked in mode and has set his sights for another episode of glory at the Parisian clay.
“I’m working towards that,” he said when quizzed about his Roland Garros expectations.
“At that level, you take nothing but the win. That’s the mentality. And you kind of visualize yourself achieving that already.”
Djokovic also reflected back on the most sluggish start to his tennis calendar as he asserted that the thrill to compete with young stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner motivates him to keep going.
“This year it’s a bit different, but that’s okay, that’s fine,” he continued. “There’s still flare inside, I still want to do more in this sport, I still enjoy the thrill of the competition and see how far I can go.
“We’re just in the fourth month of the season. The tennis season is very long, still have three Slams, Olympic Games, many other tournaments. So going to get ready and try to win more.”
“I like competing with different generations. You have the young guys that are coming up – Alcaraz, Sinner – they’re all incredibly hungry and fit and fast, but I use my adaptability to adjust my tactics and my game to them and understand what it takes to stay at the top and compete with these guys and try to win more titles.
“It hasn’t been the start that I’ve had for most of my career. I’ve been really blessed and fortunate to kick-start most of the seasons in the last 20 years of my career with a win in Australia and that has been very nice to me.
“Obviously when you kickstart the year with a Grand Slam win you get the wind in your sails and it sets the tone for the rest of the season.”
The World No. 1 has confirmed his presence in the next month’s Rome Masters which will serve as his preparatory event ahead of the French Open. Yet after participating in just three regular tour events Djokovic looks eager to go for the second major of the season.
With his 37th birthday coming in a month’s time and despite not having enough matches under his belt this season, Djokovic vows to be in good shape and bounce back from the rough patch and regain his old mojo back.
“I feel like it’s so important always to remind yourself to be in the present moment, really to appreciate, to acknowledge, to remember where you came from, the journey, the path, also the people that surround you,” he added.
“I have a lot of people around me other than my family and closest people in my life. There’s a great team of people that really helps me perform at my best when it’s most necessary. And you know, tennis is also a sport that has a very long season, very, very intense calendar and schedules.
“So every single week there’s something new happening and new events. So I think I will truly be able to appreciate everything that we have accomplished really, only post-career, to be honest, because while you’re still active it’s – what’s the next task, what’s the next challenge?”