Considering his incredible records in professional tennis, it might seem like Novak Djokovic has mastered the art of overcoming pressure. However, in a recent press conference at the French Open, the 22-time Grand Slam champion opened up about his own experiences dealing with overwhelming stress and tension during matches. When asked about Carlos Alcaraz‘s admission of feeling completely overwhelmed by the pressure of facing Djokovic on a grand stage.

The Serbian tennis star echoed his semifinal opponent’s thoughts, candidly sharing his insights. Drawing from his own journey, he acknowledged the emotional and mental impact such circumstances can have on a player’s performance.

Novak Djokovic understands the emotional and physical struggles of being at the top

Reflecting on his early career, Djokovic revealed that he had experienced similar overwhelming moments several times before. He admitted to experiencing physical struggles during that period. Moreover, the ‘Djoker’ also expressed empathy for Alcaraz’s emotions and acknowledged how circumstances can impact a player mentally and emotionally in high-stakes encounters.

Djokovic was asked, “Have you ever experienced similar physical reactions to stressful moments early in your career against top players, and how did you overcome them?”

The 2-time French Open champion acknowledged the immense pressure that comes with participating in one of the world’s greatest tournaments.

He highlighted that Alcaraz, at 20 years old, faced the weight of expectations for the first time in his career. Alcaraz, typically the underdog, found himself in the opposite role, potentially impacting his performance, as he acknowledged.

“You know, being in one of the greatest tournaments of the world, maybe for the first time in his career he was expected to win. You know, he was maybe not an underdog, you know, chasing the title and trying to win against a favorite, but it was probably the other way around. So maybe that affected him, you know, and as he said, it probably did,” Djokovic added.

Learning and growing: Alcaraz’s promising journey

Djokovic reassured Alcaraz that overwhelming moments are a natural part of a player’s learning and growth process. He emphasized the young Spaniard’s bright future, noting his remarkable maturity and impressive achievements in recent years.

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“But it’s a part of the learning curve. It’s part of the experience.” Djokovic added.

The French Open finalist then added that Alcaraz has the potential to be one of the best players in the world. However, he cautioned the youngster about injuries and maintaining his health to remain at the top.

As the tournament has reached its final stage, fans eagerly wait to see who between Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud will lift the sought-after La Coupe des Mousquetaires. Who is your pick?

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