Novak Djokovic says he was “emotionally broken” after winning the Australian Open

CNN
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For nearly two decades, we’ve gotten used to it Novak Djokovic Winning major tournaments. But seeing World No. 1 crying on the floor as he celebrated Win the Australian Open With his family and team he was the first. He later said that he “broke down emotionally”.

The back-to-back rounds win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in Melbourne on Sunday was of historic significance. It was his tenth Australian Open, making Djokovic the second man to win more than 10 Grand Slam titles, and 22 Grand Slams, a men’s record for major victories he now shares with Rafael Nadal. The victory also brought him back to No. 1 in the world for a record 374th week.

Even as he returned to his seat on the court to present the trophy, Djokovic hid his face with a towel, and television cameras caught the sound of his continued crying.

But speaking to reporters after his win, he made it clear that the outpouring of emotions wasn’t just a reaction to what he had achieved but a response to what he had to deal with over the past few weeks as well.

The 35-year-old said in his press conference: “Of course, when I got into my box, I just think of the emotional meltdown there and the tearing up with my mom and brother especially, when I hugged them, because in that moment I didn’t allow myself, I guess, to be distracted by Off-field things or whatever was going on dealing with an injury, off-field things as well, that would have been a huge disruption to my focus, to my game.

“It took really tremendous mental energy to stay present, to focus, to take things day in and day out, and really see how far I could go.”

Last year, Djokovic was unable to defend his title after being deported from the country due to his Covid-19 vaccination. This year at Melbourne Park he suffered a hamstring injury and had to deal with the fallout from his father, Srdjan, as he was photographed with a group of Russian supporters at the Australian Open, which Djokovic said required an “enormous amount of mental and emotional energy” to stay focused on tennis.

His father was not in the players’ box for the final, a situation Djokovic said made them sad.

“I thought things would calm down in terms of the media and everything, but it didn’t,” said the Serb.

“We both agreed that it would probably be better if he wasn’t there. It hurts me and him a lot because these are very special and unique moments. Who knows if they happen again.”

“So it wasn’t easy for him. I saw him after the game, of course. Yes, he wasn’t feeling his best, let’s say, although he was very happy with my hug and of course with everything.

“I could see he was a little sad. Look, that’s what he is. I think in the end also what he said to me was that it’s important for me to feel good on the field, to win the game, and he’s here for me.

“If it would have been better for me as a result of the match not to be in the penalty area, then so be it. That was the whole talk.

“In a way, I’m also sad that he wasn’t there, in the stands. But he was throughout the whole tournament, so that’s okay. In the end, we have a happy ending.”

Djokovic revealed that his injury meant he was not optimistic heading into the Australian Open, his first major tournament of the year, saying it was “just a matter of staying every match, trying to take it to the next round”.

His coach Goran Ivanisevic told reporters that Djokovic had “77 treatments a day” to try and address the hamstring problem that had put his participation in doubt.

“Let me put it this way. I wouldn’t say 100%, but 97% of the players, on Saturday when you get your MRI results, you go straight to the referee’s office and withdraw from the tournament,” Ivanisevic said.

“He’s from somewhere else. His brain works differently. I’ve been with him for four years, but sometimes his brain still works. He gave everything. 77 treatments a day. Every day he was kind of better and better. I didn’t expect this. Honestly, I was shocked “.

Djokovic said that from the fourth round onwards his leg started to improve and he started playing tennis to the best of his ability.

Now equal with Nadal on the all-time men’s Grand Slam list, Djokovic said he was “motivated to win as many slams as possible”.

“I really don’t want to stop here. I have no intention of stopping here,” he said. “I feel good about my tennis. I know that when I feel good physically and mentally, I have a chance to win any tournament against anyone.

“I don’t know how many years I’m going to play or how many slams I’m going to play. It depends on different things. It doesn’t just depend on my body.

“I think it’s very important for me to be, of course, the first to have the support and love of those close to me, to be able to go and play and keep a balance with my own life, but at the same time have the mental clarity or – how should I say – the aspirations to really strive to chase these prizes.

“Physically, I can keep fit. Of course, 35 is not 25, although I want to believe it. But I still feel like there is time ahead of me. Let’s see how far I go.”