Defending champion Djokovic: “I still feel the drive”

Gold medallist Novak Djokovic is hoping to do something that no other male singles player has done since Roger Federer in 2008 – defend the US Open title. You would be forgiven for thinking the 24-time major champion may take his foot off the gas and enjoy his victory at the Olympic Games, but in his media day press conference on Saturday, the Serb made clear that he has other plans.

Speaking to journalists, Djokovic was asked about the defending champion streak and replied:

“I didn’t know about that. I knew it was probably the case for five, ten years, but I didn’t know it was that long. Yeah, I mean, hopefully that changes this year. I mean, that’s the goal. You know, the goal is always for me to try to go all the way to the finals and fight for the trophy. I mean, that kind of mindset or approach is no different for me this year. You know, people would ask me, you know, now that you have basically won everything with the golden medal, what else is there to win? I still feel the drive. You know, I still have the competitive spirit. I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the tour. I still hope to inspire many young people to watch tennis, play tennis.”

I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the tour.

Djokovic on his motivation

The Serbian superstar also detailed that the match-ups with different generations over the latter years of his career continue to motivate him, and force him to perfect his game even further:

“These kind of rivalries that I have with Jannik and Carlos, in particular, of course, along with other guys from the generation before, like, Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, you know, are the kind of matchups that still bring that joy of competition to me and inspire me to really, on a weekly basis when I’m not competing, push myself to perfect the game and to give myself an ability to be able to run for hours with them on the biggest stage.”

[the rivalrIes] push myself to perfect the game

Djokovic on the rivalries with different generations

Djokovic is scheduled to face Moldovan Radu Albot in the last match on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday night, and made clear that the evening atmosphere at the US Open is one of his favourites of the whole year:

“You know, night sessions at US Open are very famous, most famous in our sport. I’m going to play my first match here Monday night, so I can’t wait to be under the lights. The noise, the energy of the stadium is just different from anything else. You know, I look forward to it.”

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