Novak Djokovic is in action today in the Indian Wells quarterfinals. While the Serb plays a veteran in Julien Benneteau, he’s also aware of this new group of players starting to make some inroads, like Grigor Dimitrov, Ernests Gulbis, Milos Raonic, Alexandr Dologopolov and others.
“You have the new generation, new wave of tennis players coming, especially the youngsters, Raonic, Dimitrov Gulbis and those up and coming, rising tennis stars,” Djokovic said Wednesday after beating Marin Cilic. “You have to accept the fact that everybody is improving. They all want to get better. They all want to win against you as a top player. That’s another reason for you to train hard and try to get yourself better and compete with these guys.
“It’s double hard I think in think moment for any top player to stay up there. I’m aware of what’s going on. On a positive note, it’s good for the sport in a way, you know, to have the different faces winning major tournaments.”
Djokovic, a two-time Indian Wells winner, has was five of six against the 32-year-old Benneteau.
“It’s Benneteau,” Djokovic said. “He’s not seeded, but he has won against Tsonga, against some great players. So I’m going to win. I’m going to try to win. I’m going to go out there and try to win. Let me rephrase that.”
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