Djokovic, like his career-long benchmarks Nadal and Roger Federer, underscored his passion with longstanding excellence and constantly ig...
Djokovic, like his career-long benchmarks Nadal and Roger Federer, underscored his passion with longstanding excellence and constantly ignoring clues that his peak years might be behind him.
For Djokovic, it has been an unparalleled season and challenge: his decision not to be vaccinated against the coronavirus led to a standoff with Australian authorities that ended in his expulsion on the eve of the Open. Australia this year, and that kept him out. the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells, California, and Miami Gardens, Florida in March.
But with health protocols now relaxed in Europe, Djokovic returned to regular action on clay last month. Although he struggled in his first matches with his timing and stamina, he slowly but convincingly started to achieve his goals again, and he gathered momentum just in time for Roland Garros.
“I always try to use those kinds of situations and adversity in my favor to motivate me for the next challenge,” he said of Australia. “As much as I felt pressure in my life and my career, it was something really on a whole other level. But I feel that’s already behind me. I feel good on the court. Mentally also, I am cool.I am lively.
Against Tsitsipas, the hirsute Greek star who pushed Djokovic to five sets before losing the French Open final last year, Djokovic controlled most of the baseline exchanges with as much patience as panache. When Tsitsipas failed to serve the second set, Djokovic proved the most reliable force in the tiebreaker, perfectly content, it seemed, waiting for Tsitsipas to crack.
“To a certain extent it’s a relief because after everything that happened at the start of the year, it was important for me to win a big title,” Djokovic said.
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