Self-assurance
In the face of challenges, Djokovic admits that current World Number One Andy Murray has been “the best player of the last six months without a doubt.” Nonetheless, he believes he has “a lot of gas in my tank,” and is ready to take the measure of his long
Considering how Novak Djokovic has gone from tournament to tournament of late, it would be an understatement to argue that he’s dealing with issues preventing him from being his usual confident self. He began the 2016 season at the top of world rankings, just as he had in four of the last five years, and his emphatic triumphs at the Australian and French Opens gave every indication that he would continue to dominate the sport. And then inconsistency borne of injuries and a shocking loss of selfassurance reared its head; he fell in the third round of Wimbledon, crashed out of the Rio Olympics, and then failed to translate three walkovers to success at the United States Open. That he followed these up with early exits at the Shanghai and Paris Masters, featuring uncharacteristic bouts with temper, served only to underscore his lack of control.
Still, Djokovic has felt compelled to contend that his year is one “that I’m proud of.” Moreover, he insisted heading into the World Tour Finals that he possesses both the form and the commitment to reclaim his perch by the end of the event. Talk is cheap, however, and if he is to finish the season king of the hill once more, he will have to raise his game; yesterday, he fell in the first set before settling down to blitz through the second and third, with his opener again including flashes of anger. And he carried his testiness with him to his post-match presser, never mind that the queries on his on-court displays of vexation were far from confrontational.
If there’s any silver lining in Djokovic’s campaign at the World Tour Finals, it’s that the collective competition in his bracket has yet to win a single set-to against him in 24 tries. For all his travails in recent memory, he should be a cinch to secure a spot in the semifinal round. What’s next, of course, is up to him, and if his words are to be taken as gospel truth, he will be running the table. “I’m here in London to try to crown this year with the best possible result,” he noted.
In the face of challenges, Djokovic admits that current World Number One Andy Murray has been “the best player of the last six months without a doubt.” Nonetheless, he believes he has “a lot of gas in my tank,” and is ready to take the measure of his longtime foil. Will he be able to assert his ascendancy anew this time next week? The answer depends on whether or not he finally recognizes that his
greatest enemy is in his own backyard.