New mindset
Djokovic wins 1st match since US Open
SHANGHAI — No longer concerned about titles and honors, Novak Djokovic is instead trying to rediscover the inner joy he used to have while playing tennis.
And after beating Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-3 Tuesday in the second round of the Shanghai Masters — his first win following a month-long injury layoff — the top-ranked Serb said he's closing in on that feeling again.
"When I get on the court, of course I want to give my best and eventually try to win the match," the 12-time Grand Slam champion said. "But not as a priority of must-win type of mindset, because that is not working for me anymore.
"I have just a different kind of vision right now."
It's been a summer of soul-searching for Djokovic, who admitted to being both emotionally and mentally exhausted after finally succeeding in his quest to win the French Open and complete a career Grand Slam.
He lost in the third round of Wimbledon and afterward reportedly said he was dealing with personal issues. He then went into the Rio de Janeiro Olympics with high expectations of winning gold only to stumble in the first round against Juan Martin del Potro and exit the tournament in tears.
"I really wanted it too much maybe," Djokovic said.
Then came another frustrating loss to Stan Wawrinka in the U.S. Open final and an elbow injury that sidelined him for a month.