Laslo Djere exclusive interview: “When I stopped thinking about rankings, I started playing better”
The 29-year-old tells Sasa Ozmo that he’s back on track after a harder than expected recovery from injury
Laslo Djere, Bad Waltersdorf 2024 – © Psnewz
After undergoing right elbow surgery in early April 2024, Laslo Djere faced a long and painful recovery, battling self-doubt and a significant drop in the rankings. Falling out of the top 100 was a tough blow, but Djere, as he has shown throughout his career and his life, refused to give up.
It took longer than he had hoped, but the 29-year-old Serbian is finding his way back. The signs of resurgence appeared late in 2024, but the clay season – his natural stronghold – provided the real breakthrough.
Djere impressed in Buenos Aires, reaching the semi-finals before losing a tight three-set match to Joao Fonseca. A couple of weeks later, he claimed his third ATP title, and first in almost five years, in Santiago. En route to the trophy, Djere defeated Ignacio Buse, Pedro Martinez, Jaime Faria, Francisco Cerundolo, and Sebastian Baez in the final, an achievement that brought him immense relief and satisfaction.
In an exclusive interview with Tennis Majors, Djere opened up about his struggles over the past year, his partnership with coach Mario Tudor, his mindset shift, and his goals moving forward.
When did you feel your confidence returning?
I only started playing better towards the end of last season. Stockholm was my best tournament up to that point in 2024 (he won three matches from qualifying before losing to Tommy Paul in the second round). After that, I had two disappointing Challenger results, but then my level improved in Belgrade (lost to Hamad Medjedovic in the semi-finals). That was the first time I saw glimpses of my usual game.
You won your first ATP title in Rio in 2019, and many see this part of the season as where you thrive most. Do you agree?
It’s no secret that I love clay, and my playing style fits the surface well. People often associate me with South American clay, but in reality, it has only clicked for me twice in six appearances here. That said, I’m happy that everything finally came together again.
After winning in Santiago, you mentioned that at one point, you feared you might have to retire earlier than expected. How tough was the road back?
It was incredibly difficult. I expected to regain my level much quicker, but this was my first experience with a major injury. I returned to the court fairly quickly and even played a five-and-a-half-hour match at Roland Garros, thinking that would speed up the process. But my elbow kept hurting for months. It affected my confidence, my game, and, of course, my results. Falling out of the top 100 and having to play Australian Open qualifying was particularly tough. On top of that, I dealt with various physical discomforts, not major injuries, but constant niggles. It was really hard to come back.
How is your body feeling now?
Thank God, everything is fine. I’ve played a lot of matches in South America, and my body has held up well. It reminded me of the good old days when I felt great physically.
Mario Tudor travelled with Ivanišević, worked with Raonić
What has Mario Tudor brought to your team?
First of all, Mario is a great person, and we get along really well. The longer I’ve been in this sport, the more I’ve realised how important it is to have people from our region on my team. We share a similar mentality, and that makes a big difference. It’s important that we can spend quality time together off the court, considering we travel for 30 weeks a year. Of course, what happens on the court matters most, but I also need a coach I can talk to on a personal level. Mario has invaluable experience—he travelled with Goran Ivanisevic when he was young, they’re really close friends, and he spent five years working with Milos Raonic. His knowledge and experience have been a great asset.
You're currently ranked No 74. Have you set any ranking goals for 2025?
No, I’m not setting any ranking targets. Over the past few months, I put too much pressure on myself with results and rankings. When I stopped focusing on those things, about a month or so ago, I started playing better. My goal is simple: keep improving, give my best in training and matches, take care of my body, and stay healthy. If I do that, the results will come.
“Discipline is a way of life”
Your girlfriend Tamara recently praised your discipline and dedication in an Instagram post. How do you approach your profession?
For me, discipline is a way of life. You either have it or you don’t—it’s a yes or no question. Of course, you need to relax and rest when youre not working, but when it’s time to work, I go all in.
“Also, discipline doesn’t just apply to the court—it’s about everything you do. How you treat your body, how much you sleep, what you eat… If you ignore those things, you can’t really call yourself disciplined.”
What are your plans for the coming weeks?
“I couldn’t make it to Indian Wells in time for qualifying, and it didn’t make sense to stay for just one Challenger. Switching from clay to hard courts and then back again wouldn’t be ideal. So, my next tournament will most likely be Bucharest (starting on March 31).
