Novak Djokovic won another Grand Slam title after showing off his impossible mental strength. The Serbian legend was trailing 2 sets down against an inspired Stefanos Tsitsipas. After losing the second set, Djokovic looked completely out of sorts. However, as often happens, Novak got a miraculous toilet break and he looked like a completely different person when he was back on court. Djokovic found his rhythm and legs to stun Tsitsipas and win the following 3 sets.
During the press conference that followed the final, a journalist asked what was the secret of Novak Djokovic during these toilet breaks and what he usually does during those moments.
Djokovic commented:
“To be honest, I was never really vocal when I speak to myself. I keep those internal conversations internally in my head. There are always two voices inside: one is telling you that you cannot do it, that it is done, it is finished. That voice was pretty strong after that second set.
I felt that that was a time for me to actually vocalise the other voice and try to suppress the first one that was saying I cannot make it. I told myself I can do it and encouraged myself. I strongly started to repeat that inside of my mind and tried to live it with my entire being.
Once I started playing in that third set, especially in the first few games, I saw where my game was at, it kind of supported that second voice that was more positive, more encouraging. After that, there was not much of a doubt for me.”
Novak Djokovic in 2021
Now ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 13th of June when he overcame world no.4 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(6) 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the final of the French Open to win his 84th career title.
This season Djokovic has managed to achieve an overall 27-3 win-loss record. Djokovic has won 3 titles in 2021 at the Australian Open, in Belgrade and at the French Open. The Serbian was the runner-up in Rome.
