Djokovic’s 2010 tears that led to glory: “That match defined my path”

Novak Djokovic has spoken to Serbian media about a painful defeat that shaped the path of his future career

Djokovic and Melzer, Roland-Garros 2010 – © Fep / Panoramic

July 13, 2023

The year is 2010, at the quarter-finals of Roland Garros. Novak Djokovic was two sets and a break up in his duel with Jürgen Melzer. He lost.

That was the only time that Djokovic had relinquished a two sets to love lead, but it ended up being one of the key turning points in his career.

Marjan Vajda, Djokovic’s previous long-time coach, once spoke about the loss, and as Melzer is playing in the legends tournament at Wimbledon, Serbian media asked Djokovic himself to recall that match.

“I remember that match well, mostly due to the emotions I felt after. A lot of disappointment, not only because of the match, but also at the time I wasn’t feeling the most motivated. I was rather dispirited, professionally, regarding tennis,” Djokovic told them.

It ultimately helped me a lot
Novak Djokovic

In that period, after tasting Grand Slam glory in Melbourne in 2008, Djokovic was not able to penetrate the duopoly of Federer and Nadal.

“I needed something to happen, something to prevail on the positive side because I wasn’t recording the results I wanted, I wasn’t playing well, and I didn’t feel good. That match was one of those that defines the path for the future, it ultimately helped me a lot in laying the foundations for the next step.”

Djokovic explained just how that happened and how that defeat became the start of an incredible 2011 journey that had seen him win three Slam titles.

“I remember clearly how much I cried after the match in Marjan’s and Miljan’s (Amanovic, physiotherapist) room, we then talked for a long time, set up a new plan the day after, and from that moment on my career really took off. I played my second final of the US Open that summer and we won the Davis Cup, which I think really acted as a springboard for me, tennis-wise. From that shaving of the head followed 41 wins in a row! Truthfully, now when I look back at those tough moments, I am most grateful for them, even though at the time I didn’t experience them positively. In any case, many thanks to Melzer!”

Djokovic is due to play Jannik Sinner in the Wimbledon semi-finals on Friday.

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