In a candid confession, Novak Djokovic sheds light on navigating the challenges of hostile environments in tennis, revealing that while the pressure and stress escalate when faced with an unsupportive crowd, he has learned to turn such situations into opportunities for personal growth.
Despite holding numerous tennis records, Djokovic has often found himself not being the crowd favorite during Grand Slam events. Despite the adversities, the Serbian tennis sensation emphasizes that he has mastered the art of thriving in unfriendly atmospheres throughout his career.
Speaking on his experiences, Djokovic shared, “The amount of pressure and stress is so much higher if you have the crowd against you. Absolutely. But (laugh) for most of my career, it was mostly hostile environments for me. I kind of learned how to thrive in that environment.”
Acknowledging the common perception that his performance peaks when faced with opposition, Djokovic added, “People think that it’s actually better if they don’t like me so that it kind of gets the best out of me in terms of tennis. It did happen. But at the same time, I actually enjoy more (laugh) being in an environment where, you know, I have nice, nice support,” as stated during his interview on 60 Minutes on CBS News.
Recent incidents showcase Djokovic’s ability to handle adverse crowd reactions gracefully. In a Paris Masters match against Tallon Griekspoor, the Parisian crowd started booing the Serb. Djokovic not only responded by encouraging them to boo even louder but went on to secure a victory with a scoreline of 4-6 7-6 (2) 6-4.
Reflecting on the experience, Djokovic humorously shared, “When I asked the audience to boo at me a little more, I won eight points in a row. But I didn’t do anything to provoke the audience, that’s how it is. Is the Parisian crowd special? That’s a good word, they are special – very special.”
Djokovic’s ability to triumph despite adversities was further evident as he clinched the Paris Masters title and emerged victorious at the ATP Finals in Turin, where he once again faced a crowd that wasn’t in his favor. Djokovic’s resilience and skill in navigating challenging environments continue to define his remarkable tennis journey.
