TO Novak Djokovic It is wrapped by an aura that has not yet reached young rivals that struggle with him for the records of tennis history. Lands in Madrid loaded with smiles, kindness and a perfect Castilian with which it develops wonderful in the first two questions asked. He did not step on the magic box since 2022, when he lost with Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, and praises the Murcian while he reduces the expectations about himself.
«His decline is not good news for the tournament. In the last two, three years, Carlos has been the star here, with the Spanish public, which gives him a lot of strength to play well. But he won in Montecarlo and then played two days later in Barcelona and reached the final. Physically it is normal for having some problems, ”he admitted to the news of the day in the tennis enclosure. He would extend his compliments to the Murcia: «We have to remember that what he has done at his age is not normal. And I am sure that we will see a lot of him in the great stages and with trophies in the future, in 10, 15, the years he plays. And it has reached the tennis level that we had Nadal, Federer and me. With tenistic results at his age in which he has surpassed those we achieved when we had his years. And he has everything necessary to make more history in our sport ».
He also, who already has the history of this sport under his name, is still there, faced with this new horde of tennis players in his hand and who have forced him to adapt to a immense ball speed. Five in the world, he has tools to reduce the impetus of his rivals, but he is also aware of how he is and what he wants at this stage of his life, back to Madrid after two years of absence. «He missed the atmosphere, which I think is one of the best there is. All stadiums are very beautiful and electrical, especially when playing at night. We always have a good level of tennis in Madrid. But I have not played much, only two or three times in the last seven or eight. This year I am looking for the level I want to find for Roland Garros. I have no expectations to be honest. I am very excited to play here because they give me a lot of support. There are always many people in these workouts, a lot of positive energy, and I hope this helps me to play well ».
Djokovic, who will turn 38 on May 22, is at another point, fought by that 100 title in the ATP that is resisting from the November 2023 Cup, although more than satisfied with that Olympic gold in Paris 2024. So it takes everything from another perspective with respect to the rivals to which it takes more than ten years. «Each generation has its competitiveness. And it is difficult to compare eras. In the last 20 years, tennis has been dominated by four of us and when three of my greatest rivals retired we noticed a change, with new names that all the foci took. You have to give people a little time to get used to the fact that they are not playing Federer, Nadal or Murray. One day I will retire, but I am trying to continue here to represent the old generation. I hope that still brings attention to tournaments and circuit, and that the popularity of this sport continues to grow ».
A sport that Djokovic has given a lot, and therefore understands that young tennis players now begin to understand the demand that supposes, although they have barely spent a few years in the circuit. Alcaraz, for example, comments in his documentary that sometimes he feels a bit ‘slave’ of tennis. «The same is a very strong word to describe what is the fact of being locked in this game of tennis, sport. But I understand why he said it. This is an individual sport and requires a hundred percent of your physique, but also of your mentality and emotional energy. Being a tennis player is much more than hitting a ball on a track. So you take time for your year, your life. Let’s see, it’s fine because it is also a decision we make, and many people suffer a lot in other areas of life, so I don’t want to sound arrogant, because you also have many rewards. But tennis is not easy ». And he explained, for example, that it is the sport with a more elongated calendar: from the beginning of January to the end of November; With more tournaments every week and longer.
However, he continues to love this sport. That is why it is still here, and it opens on Saturday in the Magic Box. «I am here because I feel that I can continue to help tennis to maintain people’s attention since they continue to see spectators to tournaments and remain interested in this sport. The number of spectators continues to increase, for example in Indian Wells there was record, and that is fantastic for tennis. Because it means that it does not depend on the big stars or the legends that are removed. Sport should survive everyone; Sport is more important than athletes. We are at the service of tennis, ”he concluded.
