Novak Djokovic never entered Wimbledon in a better way than he did this year, at least in terms of results on grass. The Serb won his first grass-court title outside of Wimbledon. He did it at Eastbourne without losing any set. 'It seems to be right now a good decision to have played Eastbourne,' Djokovic said in press conference on Sunday.
'Obviously I was not playing too many of the events in the week prior to the beginning of the Grand Slam in my career, but I decided to do so this time because I felt like I needed more matches in general. Especially on the grass, which is a unique surface that requires time for adaptation and adjustment, especially for the movement.
I felt like this time I needed a proper tournament rather than just playing a couple of exhibition matches. I'm glad I've made that decision, and that I went to Eastbourne, because it was a very positive experience on and off the court as well.
The people were very kind. It was a great week with a lot of good, positive energy. A lot of time spent on the practice courts, four quality matches. Just overall, I’m very happy with the way it went, and where my form is at.' Djokovic has a new approach to life and tennis: 'I used to base all my happiness on winning a tennis match,' said the world no.
4, who will become father for the second time in his life at the end of August. 'I think many athletes today are doing that. So I try not to do that anymore, because it's not like I don't care, but winning and losing a tennis match, absolutely not.
Of course, I would love to win every single tennis match I play in, but I don't try to take that as a very essential moment in my life, which determines my happiness. It's a different approach, but I'm still here and I'm still motivated, I still keep on going.
I'm still glad to kind of experience whatever my professional tennis career has for me. It seems to me that, especially nowadays, everything is observed through the lens of material success, who lifts more trophies gets more respect, more fame, more money, and a better status in the society.
I mean, it's hard in this kind of values to go through that process. But for me, it's equally important, even more important, to take care of myself as a human being.'
'Obviously I was not playing too many of the events in the week prior to the beginning of the Grand Slam in my career, but I decided to do so this time because I felt like I needed more matches in general. Especially on the grass, which is a unique surface that requires time for adaptation and adjustment, especially for the movement.
I felt like this time I needed a proper tournament rather than just playing a couple of exhibition matches. I'm glad I've made that decision, and that I went to Eastbourne, because it was a very positive experience on and off the court as well.
The people were very kind. It was a great week with a lot of good, positive energy. A lot of time spent on the practice courts, four quality matches. Just overall, I’m very happy with the way it went, and where my form is at.' Djokovic has a new approach to life and tennis: 'I used to base all my happiness on winning a tennis match,' said the world no.
4, who will become father for the second time in his life at the end of August. 'I think many athletes today are doing that. So I try not to do that anymore, because it's not like I don't care, but winning and losing a tennis match, absolutely not.
Of course, I would love to win every single tennis match I play in, but I don't try to take that as a very essential moment in my life, which determines my happiness. It's a different approach, but I'm still here and I'm still motivated, I still keep on going.
I'm still glad to kind of experience whatever my professional tennis career has for me. It seems to me that, especially nowadays, everything is observed through the lens of material success, who lifts more trophies gets more respect, more fame, more money, and a better status in the society.
I mean, it's hard in this kind of values to go through that process. But for me, it's equally important, even more important, to take care of myself as a human being.'