“The level was very high”

Novak Djokovic said in Athens that he did not know if he would play at this year's ATP Finals, saying he did not know where the president of the Italian Tennis Federation got his confirmation of participation, but certainly not from him or his team. The former world leader and seven-time winner of the ATP Finals revealed that he will decide after finishing the competition in Athens, where he will duel in the quarter-finals with the Portuguese Nuno Borges (28 years, 47 ATP).

This week, the Serbian also gave an interview to the ATP, in which he was asked what was the best match he played in his career.

Winner of twenty-four Grand Slam trophies, he could not stop at just one. “Che best match I've ever been in was the 2012 Australian Open final against Nadal. It was the longest Grand Slam final in history,” he said. The Serb then defeated Rafael Nadal in five hours and fifty-three minutes 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7(5), 7–5.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in 2012 at the awards ceremony PHOTO Guliver/GettyImages

Then he continued: “Sand against Roger in the 2019 Wimbledon final. These were the best matches I have ever attended. But the best match I've ever played would probably be the Australian Open final against Nadal in 2019. I beat him in the final in three sets and the level of tennis was very high.”

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after the 2019 Wimbledon award Photo Imago

In 2019, in London, Djokovic beat Roger Federer 7–6(5), 1–6, 7–6(4), 4–6, 13–12(3), and in Melbourne, he beat Rafael Nadal 6–3, 6–2, 6–3.

Novak Djokovic: “Being number one in any sport, in any profession, is the greatest achievement”

The record holder for most weeks spent as world leader also explained what it's like to be the best in a sport: “It's wonderful, but you also feel a little alone and you feel like you're being hunted, so that changes your perception and your approach. Obviously, it is the greatest achievement. To be number one in any sport, in any profession, is the greatest achievement. It's something I dreamed of when I was a kid: to win Wimbledon and be number one in the world.

When you realize that, you understand that there is a different dimension and approach to staying there. Suddenly, you have to defend your position instead of chasing it. Obviously, it's a wonderful feeling. But at the same time, you want to stay there, so sometimes you feel a little defensive, because you want to hold on,” Djokovic explained.

It is important to always feel that you have to create, continue and keep winning, and that you are part of the same group of people who are chasing something: a title or a position. Because once you start thinking, “Oh, I'm #1, everyone wants to take that position from me,” you create unnecessary stress and pressure on yourself. – Novak Djokovic

Rivalries that cannot be compared

The Serb was prompted to compare his rivalries with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer to those he has with Alcaraz and Sinner. “Very different, because I spent most of my career with my two biggest rivals: Nadal and Federer. Of course, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are also my rivals at the moment, but they are so young. I'm 15 years apart from them in the circuit, so our rivalries are only a few years old, and with the others I have a 20-year rivalry. So it cannot be compared”emphasized the former world leader.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz/Photo: Getty Images

He pointed out: “It's great that there's a new big rivalry in our sport between Sinner and Alcaraz. They've had some incredible matches over the last 18 months and we hope they keep it up because that's what our sport needs.”

Asked who is the most underrated player he has ever faced, Nole said: “Wawrinka, I think he's very underrated and underrated, considering he's a three-time Grand Slam champion. I think people forget a lot about him and what he's accomplished. He's accomplished more than 90 percent of the players in the history of the sport.”

Novak Djokovic and the era he would like to play in

Winner of 100 career titles, Novak said if he could pick just one shot to take from another player, it would be the serve of a tall player like Karlovic, Isner or Opelka. The Serbian also said that, if it were possible, he would have liked to be a spectator at one of the matches played by Bjorn Borg against John McEnroe. “I would love to have the opportunity to play with a wooden racquet and compete, see the difference. I would probably have a really hard time hitting topspin with it. But I love the history of our game, so it's amazing to see how the game has evolved in terms of technology and everything over the last 50 years. I would have loved to witness that era.”Nole said.

The key to my success was just dedication. Passion and dedication. The passion, the love for the sport that makes you so devoted and dedicated to what you do – Novak Djokovic

What advice would he give the young Novak if he were to coach him? “I would tell him to play for the long haul, be patient and trust the process. And try to have fun and enjoy the process. Work-life balance. Yes: be dedicated, be devoted, work hard, that's a must. But don't lose yourself in the process. Don't waste your youthful years, that is, live your life, because you can't go back.”

Djokovic also identified how he would describe himself in one word: meticulous. He says he wouldn't change a single outcome of his career: “Everything happens for a reason.” And the quote that guides him in life is: “There is no elevator to success, you have to take the stairs.”