After Stunning French Open Loss, Novak Djokovic Cleared His Mind

by Tom Gainey | June 20th, 2018, 10:36 am
  • 15 Comments

Following a stunning loss to Marco Cecchinato at the French Open, Novak Djokovic wasn’t sure he’d even play the grass season. But after clearing his mind, he’s back!

The Serb rolled John Millman yesterday in his Queen’s opener, then opened up on what brought him back t tennis.

“It was hiking with my wife with no kids for five days, if you really want to know,” Djokovic said. “It was a wonderful time after two years with not having a break only with her without kids, so we managed to do that.


“We were very far away from any tennis court, in nature, and it was the best way to clear the mind and just also have a possibility to slow down. Because we live in a society where everything is so rapid and we are overstimulated with everything, you know, sometimes you need to just slow down and have time for yourself to think about things, to understand your emotions and what you’re going through.

“So that’s what we have done. I managed to just kind of recalibrate and get back on the court.”

Djokovic also said he’s finally feeling comfortable with his serve and his racquet.

“The model of the racquet is the same,” Djokovic said. “I have modified certain dimensions of the racquet and things that I felt with my team that is the right thing to do, considering the problems that I had with the elbow.

“This very problem with an injury of the elbow has forced me to also compensate a little bit my technique for the serve, the movement and everything. So I went from quite a familiar style of serving up to Wimbledon last year. Then I took a break obviously, and then I started reinventing the serve and game and racquet. And then I kind of had a completely new motion in Australia and then another one in Miami.

“So I’m finally kind of feeling comfortable with where the serve is at, but it takes a little bit of time to work on it. It’s a very, very important shot, maybe the most important shot in our sport, especially on the quickest surface in our sport, which is grass.”

Djokovic is in doubles later today in Queen’s with Stan Wawrinka. Then tomorrow he takes on Grigor Dimitrov.

“So a match against Dimitrov obviously is a very good challenge for both of us, especially me at this time, you know, with not too many matches under my belt in general this year or last 12 months,” he said.

“So it’s quite important. He’s one of the best players in the world and loves playing on grass. I think it’s his preferred surface. He has won here, so yeah, I mean, after today’s performance, convincing performance, I feel confident to step out on the court and go for a win.”


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15 Comments for After Stunning French Open Loss, Novak Djokovic Cleared His Mind

Willow Says:

Love his spirit, getting back to nature clearing your mind, theres nothing like it Novak ….


Humble Rafa Says:

It was hiking with my wife with no kids for five days, if you really want to know.

I hope no babies were created in the process.


rognadfan Says:

^^ Well, there is always about 0.01 – 0.05% chance of failure for even the best type of contraceptives, even if you combine them with the condom.
So, there you go HR, your hope has that much chance of being busted.

Jokes aside, I am sure that must have been great for him. I hope he is really back on the mend now, good luck. His philosophical side of things has always been inspirational.

But, they left kids with nanny for 5 days? I guess whelthy one’s can do that and not miss their kids.


Django Says:

I’m sure the 2sets of grandparents and other blood rellies did the major babysitting with some nanny help.


Tennis Vagabond Says:

Can anyone report on how his serve is doing? I haven’t watched, but from ATP stats, doesn’t look like that’s a game-changing change in his game (other than Aces to DF ratio!).

From ATP, 2018 stats:

88 aces to 63 DF
1st serve: 66%
1st serve won: 69%
2nd serve won: 53%
Service points won: 64%

Career:
4965 aces to 2,086 DF, so MUCH better ratio than 2018
1st serve 65%, same same
1st serve won: 73%, significant difference but not HUGE
2nd serve won: 53%– actually better in 2018
Service points won: 67%


Humble Rafa Says:

Well, there is always about 0.01 – 0.05% chance of failure for even the best type of contraceptives, even if you combine them with the condom.

Good thing Xisca doesn’t know about this. She thinks this thing is 100% foolproof.


AndyMira Says:

I picked Nole till final in my Bracket..only to lose to Marin…But i think Nole has a chance to win London too…But,let’s see…


AndyMira Says:

Btw…”Stunning loss?”…IMO…it was not stunning…considering Nole is still searching his old form atm…If Cecchinato or any lesser players beat Nole in 2011–>2015…THAT… I WOULD CALL IT STUNNING!..heh heh…


j-kath Says:

My money’s on Nole defeating Grigor……what does VP, Wogboy and other Nole fans think?.


Willow Says:

I Think its called a stunning loss, as you dont expect a 12 time GS champion to lose to a lesser player, and also a former RG champion, same with Rafa with Rosol at SW19, or Federer with Stakovsky, as far as winning W i think Federer has to be favorite for that grass really suits his game, more so than any of the other all time greats, Rafa and Nole are in trouble against the big hitters ….


Willow Says:

I Think he will beat Grigor though, over two or possibly three tight sets ….


Amit Says:

Novak gonna beat queen Grigory..


Willow Says:

Amit me too ….


j-kath Says:

Willow: Over two easy sets……ahem!


Willow Says:

J-Kath i stand corrected, didnt see the match, as i was at work lol ….

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