LONDON: At age 36,Novak Djokovic, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, continues to defy age stereotypes by extending his winning streak at Grand Slam events to 23.
The World No. 2 produced a clean performance to defeat Australian Jordan Thompson in the second round of Wimbledon.
Djokovic will next face 29th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry or three-time major champion Stan Wawrinka in the third round at Wimbledon.
The victory earned Djokovic his 350th match win at the Majors, becoming just the third player to reach that milestone, joining Roger Federer (369) and Serena Williams (365). Djokovic is showing no signs of slowing down.
“You’re only as young or as old as you feel. I feel young in my own body, in my own head, in my heart,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference as stated by ATP.com.
“My children remind me of that, the time that I spend with them. The innocence, incredible curiosity, pure love and energy that I get to experience with them is something that really strengthens that inner child in you,” he added.
“Also the fact that I’m still playing the sport that I fell in love with when I was very young. I think that is something that is very refreshing. I have to say that I’m really fortunate and blessed to have a healthy body. Still at this stage, after 20 years of professional tennis, I’m able to compete at the highest level,” said the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
If Djokovic continues his current level, he may be able to add to the Wimbledon record books this year. If he wins, he would equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles and become the Open Era’s oldest men’s victor at SW19.
The fact that the 94-time tour-level titlist has won 11 majors after turning 30 is due in part to his steady improvement of even the tiniest nuances of his game.
“I never want to stop growing, learning, trying to improve, trying to understand the nuances, the details. Whether it’s with my game, with my body, with my nutrition, recovery, whatever it is that can take me a small step further,” Djokovic said.
“I feel very hungry for knowledge, for experiences. Life is a great journey that can offer a lot if one is open to experience. I can only speak on my own behalf. I’ve been through a lot of things in life for these 36 years. Very, very grateful for all that I have experienced,” the Serbian said.
Djokovic, who is chasing a record-extending 24th major this fortnight, is soaking up any type of pressure and using it as fire to pursue his third Grand Slam championship crown this season.
“Every time I walk out on the court, particularly in Grand Slams and centre courts, I feel tremendous pressure and expectations from myself, from people around that are watching live or on TV, the whole tennis world. It’s a feeling that I’m used to by now, and it’s something that I also embrace because it’s giving me further motivation to strive to make more history,” Djokovic said.
“I don’t think it’s ever going to change as long as I’m playing really. Regardless of the Grand Slam count fact, I still want to make my own results and my own journey. I think that’s what drives me most nowadays,” Djokovic added. (ANI)