MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic compared his relationship with the Australian Open to “a love affair” on Sunday, admitting that despite his years at the top, he still gets nervous about running on the track.
The 33-year-old opens his campaign for an unprecedented ninth title at Melbourne Park, and 18th Grand Slam crown, against France’s Jeremy Chardy on Monday, and is already feeling nervous.
“Every game, every game. Every game”, he said when asked that despite his 17th Australian Open he was still feeling nervous.
“I don’t want to speak on behalf of the other athletes, but I feel like it’s almost impossible for an athlete to really take away that kind of pressure, anticipation, nerves that come into play.
“It’s just that I’ve been able to train myself over the years,” he added.
“I think that with the experience and also the dedication I had outside of the track for mental preparation, that has helped me respond better to those kinds of emotions.
“But it’s still there. I don’t think it will ever go away. I mean, especially when the opportunity is right, when you’re playing for the biggest trophies.”
Djokovic claimed his 17th Grand Slam in last year’s gripping final in Melbourne, coming back from 2-1 to beat Austrian Dominic Thiem in five sets.
– ‘Big sensation’ –
It was his only big success last year and seems to be getting close to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who both have 20.
The Serb said he hoped his return to Rod Laver Arena would inspire him to a new title.
“Well, it’s a love affair,” he said of the Australian Open and center court.
“I feel more comfortable on the track every year that I come back.
“I mean, the more you win, the more confident you have and the more comfortable you feel on the track. It just feels good,” he added.
“When I first stepped on the track in the practice session this year, I relived some memories of last year, including the other years that I won the tournament.
“It just gives me a great feeling, a great feeling, confidence.
“Hopefully it will be another successful year.”
Chardy is his first hurdle in Monday’s session at the Rod Laver Arena, which shouldn’t be that big of a deal. They have met 13 times and the Serb has won them all.
Despite this, Djokovic does not take his opponent lightly.
“I haven’t played him for a while now. He’s a very experienced player. He’s been on the tour for quite a few years. He has a big serve and a big forehand,” he said.
“But of course playing ATP Cup and four games, two singles, two doubles, at Rod Laver Arena will help me prepare well for the Australian Open, I think.
“So that is clearly positive that I already have quite a bit of playing time on the track where I start my Australian Open 2021 tomorrow evening.”
© Agence France-Presse