Baby son inspires Djokovic
NOVAK Djokovic has revealed the mental and physical anguish behind a fourth Wimbledon victory and his primary motivation – his three- yearold son Stefan.
The Serb said he was depressed and impatient after undergoing elbow surgery in February, doubting if he would ever contend at a major again.
“There were several moments where I was frustrated and questioning whether I can get back on desired level or not,” he said after claiming his 13th grand slam title with a 6- 2 6- 2 7- 6 ( 7- 3) win over Kevin Anderson.
“But that makes this whole journey even more special for me.
“It’s easy to talk now and look back at it and be kind of grateful ... to go through this kind of mixed emotions, turbulences as well mentally, moments of doubt and disappointment and frustration, anger.
“It was a long journey, especially considering that elbow injury that took me out from the tour for six months.”
Watched by the surgeon who performed the operation, Djokovic revealed he defied advice to play and “so I had to learn the lessons in a hard way”. When he was rolled by Marco Cecchinato at the French Open, Djokovic sooked about bypassing the grasscourt season.
But after quelling gutsy Anderson, exhausted after a 6hr 36min semi, the former world champion delighted in the sight of his son in the players’ box.
“It was one of, if not the biggest, motivation I’ve had for this Wimbledon this year,” Djokovic said.
“I was visualising, imagining this moment of him coming to the stands, cherishing this moment with my wife ( Jelena) and me and everyone. It’s hard to describe. I never had him in the box watching the tennis match. I was hoping that Wimbledon can be that tournament.
“He was not there till the very moment when I was walking to get an interview. He walked in. So that was just a moment that I will carry inside of my heart forever.”
With a French, six Australian, four Wimbledon and two US crowns, Djokovic is in fourth place overall behind Federer ( 20), Rafael Nadal ( 17) and Pete Sampras ( 14).
While he would not be drawn on the long- term ramifications of the win, he has clearly regained self- belief.