Novak Djokovic admits that he is searching for a much needed confidence boost after what has been a roller coaster past few months.
The former world No.1 returned to the tour in January after being sidelined from action with an elbow injury. Since then, he had experienced mixed results during his fight to regain full fitness. Djokovic has won back-to-back matches in just two out of the five tournaments he has played so far this season. On the clay he reached the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters before suffering a shock loss in Barcelona to Martin Klizan.
As a result of his rocky win-loss record of 5-5 this year, Djokovic admits that his confidence has taken a hit. Away from the court, he was also forced to undergo a ‘minor medical intervention’ on his elbow shortly after the Australian Open.
“I have always believed in myself and that’s why I was able to make all my childhood dreams come true, but right now my confidence is not at the highest level.” Djokovic told reporters in Belgrade on Wednesday.
“The recent results have not been what we are used to but coming back is a process and all I can do now is knuckle down to some hard work,
“I have had some similar situations in the past but not one quite as challenging as this, so I have to accept it as part of a learning process.”
Despite the setbacks, the 12-time grand slam champion remains undeterred in his quest to return back to the top. The next big test for him will occur at the end of this month at the French Open. A tournament where he has reached the quarterfinals or better at every year since 2010. Roland Garros is also the last event where he won a major title at back in 2016.
Mentoring Djokovic on the tour is former coach Marian Vajda. The two reunited last month on what is currently set to be a short-term agreement. Although there is a possibility that the collaboration could be extended.
“We have made plans until the end of the clay season — three more tournaments ending with Roland Garros. After that we will sit down again … and make further plans,” the world No.12 outlined.
The belief remains
All is not lost for a player of Djokovic’s calibre. The 30-year-old has won 68 ATP titles during his career and has spent 223 weeks as the world No.1. For him, he believes the problem lies with his current fitness. Something he hopes to improve promptly.
“Basically it is now all about improving my fitness,” he stated. “I believe that things will sort themselves out very soon and I hope for some better results in the next few weeks.”
Some have suggested that the fitness problems are due to the diet of the Serbian player. Swiss nutritionist, Jurg Hosli, recently claimed that Djokovic is being hampered by his ‘healthy food obsession.’ Calling the reduced intake of carbohydrates and sugar ‘a big mistake.’
“I don’t want to elaborate because people have been twisting facts in the past two years and all I’ll say is that I reckon I know what’s best for me as an athlete and a person,” he said in response to questions about his diet.
“It doesn’t affect me what people say, but it does affect those who are close to me.”
Djokovic will return to action next week at the Madrid Open. A tournament he has won two times.
