Novak Djokovic eyes more Slams

World No.1 feels added family responsibilities can give fresh impetus to his illustrious career

Novak Djokovic addresses the media during the round table conference in Dubai on Sunday. — KT photos by Rahul Gajjar

Dubai — Novak Djokovic believes the new responsibilities of family life can give fresh impetus to his illustrious career as he eyes yet more Grand Slam glory in the future.

The 27-year-old Serbian and his wife Jelena became parents to their baby boy Stefan last October and, just three months later, Djokovic clinched his eighth major title — and first as a father — at the Australian Open.

Djokovic knows of a few people who have successfully juggled such commitments in their personal and professional lives too, with his German coach Boris Becker and 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer acting as prime examples at present.

“I’m very grateful to be where I am at this point in my life,” the reigning Wimbledon champion admitted.

“Now, as a father, it’s a new chapter in my life and a new opportunity for me to play in front of my son one day. “That’s one of the motivations I have. I constantly try to find new sources of motivation because it’s a very mental game at the end of the day.

“The bottom line is that it’s really the psychological aspect that brings you to where you want to be; it’s not just you mindset on the court, but everything you do off of it. “I try to have a holistic approach to everything I do. Every day is a learning process for me, so I’m very grateful to have the team around me that are kind enough to sacrifice their own lives, dedicate them to my career and allow me to shine on the court.”

Foremost in that inner circle is — of course — Becker, who has had similar life experiences to Djokovic and that has seen their working relationship flourish in the last six months or so. “He’s contributed a lot from psychological point of view, mostly because he has been in these situations before,” Djokovic said.

alex@khaleejtimes.com