Novak Djokovic addressed his motivation levels after winning his opening match at the French Open.
Novak Djokovic has responded to doubts about his motivation by opening up on the main thing that is “getting him out of bed” after winning his opening match at the French Open. The world No. 1 has struggled for form and failed to reach the final at any event he has played in 2024.
It has led some to question his motivation, with Djokovic himself admitting that it has varied in recent months.
He finally managed to be “present” and pumped up on Tuesday night. And he explained why he enjoyed himself more than he had throughout the season.
“Well, honestly, here much more than basically any other tournament this year that I played except Australia, you know. Even Australia was kind of, a sense of a bit of an uphill battle in terms of how I was feeling on the court,” Djokovic said when asked what his enjoyment level was on the court.
“Again, this is only one match here. So we have to see how I progress in the tournament and how the feeling evolves, but it was good. You know, I was fist pumping, I was focused, I was there, and I was present. So I’m pleased with the way, at least, I behaved or had a mindset on the court. That was something that I was looking for.”
Djokovic thought there was a reason for his increased motivation at Roland Garros. Smiling, he added: “And where are you going to feel that way if not in Grand Slams?”
It’s no surprise that Djokovic’s hunger is different at the Majors – he holds the Open Era record of 24 Grand Slam titles and is keen to keep making history. And the 37-year-old admitted that the biggest tournaments were the ones getting him out of bed each day.
He continued: “So it’s something that I have been saying from the beginning of the year and from the last whatever years that Grand Slams are the ones that are basically getting me up from the bed every day and knowing that I have to hit the practice courts. I always think about what I can do in Grand Slams. So here I am. Hopefully I can have another deep run.”
Questions have already been raised over Djokovic’s motivation levels this year. Last week, Eurosport pundit Barbara Schett told Express Sport: “I’m not sure how big his motivation level is. I know he’s always motivated but if you drop it one per cent then it gets harder and harder.”
