Novak Djokovic confidence not at the highest level

George Turner

Hall of Fame
Words from the man himself.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/43979116

He admits he was not ready to return at the sunshine double, despite declaring himself fully ready at the time. Agassi supposedly didn't think he was ready either, one of the many things they disagreed on.

He also pours cold water on criticisms of his diet, saying he knows what's best for him as an athlete and as a person. This stance is contradictory with his admittance he returned too early at the SD.

He is saying all the right things here, saying he is working hard and it's all part of the learning process.

Do you believe him?
 
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Mainad

Bionic Poster
Words from the man himself.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/43979116

He admits he was not ready to return at the sunshine double, despite declaring himself fully ready at the time. Agassi supposedly didn't think he was ready either, one of the many things they disagreed on.

He also pours cold water on criticisms of his diet, saying he knows what's best for him as an athlete and as a person. This stance is contradictory with his admittance he returned too early at the SD.

He is saying all the right things here, saying he is working hard and it's all part of the learning process.

Do you believe him?

Frankly I'm not sure what to believe anymore. :confused:
 

Plamen1234

Hall of Fame
Since AO Novak record in tournaments is 2-4.Of course his confidence will be low.3 of these loses shouldnt have happened in the first place.Only the loss against Thiem was not surprising
 
D

Deleted member 733170

Guest
Most of us (certainly me) thought there was a really slim probability that Fed or Nadal would even win a slam again.

I also believe most Fed fans would like to see a resurgent Novak as I can’t see who else is going to stop Nadal from cleaning up the next few years, but that’s probably the subject of a separate troll thread :D
 

a10best

Legend
Also he needs a steak and loaded baked potato.
or we need to stick a fork in him (he's done).
OTOH, I am confident that Monfis and Tsonga can finally beat him in a slam.
Maybe a big sever like Anderson gets him at Wimbledon. Boy, do these guys want some revenge.
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
Obviosly, this is the lowest point of his career so of course he's gonna have confidence issues. That said, it's getting a bit tiring (for me atleast) reading his interviews/statements about his current situation.

If he still truly wants it, I believe he can get there again. If he doesn't it won't matter what he says in any interview.
 

mike danny

Bionic Poster
Obviosly, this is the lowest point of his career so of course he's gonna have confidence issues. That said, it's getting a bit tiring (for me atleast) reading his interviews/statements about his current situation.

If he still truly wants it, I believe he can get there again. If he doesn't it won't matter what he says in any interview.
The difference between Novak an someone like Fed is that Fed says he is playing the best tennis of his career, while Novak actually admits the truth.
 

Bartelby

Bionic Poster
According to the OP's paraphrase of Djokovic, he admits that he doesn't admit the truth:

He admits he was not ready to return at the sunshine double, despite declaring himself fully ready at the time.

The difference between Novak an someone like Fed is that Fed says he is playing the best tennis of his career, while Novak actually admits the truth.
 

Mick

Legend
i think Federer is playing the best tennis of career right now to still win tournaments because he is no longer 25 or 26. Ten years ago, he possessed both youthful physical strength and tennis skill and today it is his tennis skill that helps him win tennis matches.
 
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Mick

Legend
Not sure if Djokovic should stage his come back by playing the clay court tournaments. He is/was much better on the faster surfaces.
 
Most of us (certainly me) thought there was a really slim probability that Fed or Nadal would even win a slam again.

I also believe most Fed fans would like to see a resurgent Novak as I can’t see who else is going to stop Nadal from cleaning up the next few years, but that’s probably the subject of a separate troll thread :D
Marin cilic
 

zagor

Bionic Poster
The difference between Novak an someone like Fed is that Fed says he is playing the best tennis of his career, while Novak actually admits the truth.

And there's a reason why Fed does that (keep up the positive outlook, the belief that you can still improve your game and that your next big run is around the corner) but what works for one player may not work for the other.
 

Tennisgods

Hall of Fame
Obviosly, this is the lowest point of his career so of course he's gonna have confidence issues. That said, it's getting a bit tiring (for me atleast) reading his interviews/statements about his current situation.

If he still truly wants it, I believe he can get there again. If he doesn't it won't matter what he says in any interview.

Agree. I really just think he needs to shut up and quietly get on with climbing back to the top. Thing is, he talks about low confidence, then when he wins one match, he’s back to doing all that post match heart crap. As if he’s still a top guy. Any other player with his ranking waves a bit then gets the F off the court.

Needs to get over himself and put the work in.
 

Zoolander

Hall of Fame
Nothing wrong with Novak. Its his equipment that needs improving. He needs a bigger racquet. Look what that did for Fed!

Think Agassi told him to move up to a 107 O/S and thats what they fought about. Novak didnt want to feel like he was “overcompensating” for something. Agassi told him not to be embarrassed if it will save his career. Radek told him its not what you got, but how you use it. Then he laughed and walked away with some hot blonde. So Novak sacked him.
 

vanioMan

Legend
Words from the man himself.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/43979116

He admits he was not ready to return at the sunshine double, despite declaring himself fully ready at the time. Agassi supposedly didn't think he was ready either, one of the many things they disagreed on.

He also pours cold water on criticisms of his diet, saying he knows what's best for him as an athlete and as a person. This stance is contradictory with his admittance he returned too early at the SD.

He is saying all the right things here, saying he is working hard and it's all part of the learning process.

Do you believe him?

Getting a bit defensive there. Unless he's at peace with himself, he won't get back near his best.
 
D

Deleted member 512391

Guest
Gebhard Gritsch is now officially back in the fold. Maybe the second most important part of the Djokovic entourage behind Vajda.

Djokovic is slowly and surely putting the pieces of the puzzle back together.

This will be the hardest goodbye:

1evv3x.jpg


But it MUST happen.
The Architect is irreplaceable.
 
Nothing wrong with Novak. Its his equipment that needs improving. He needs a bigger racquet. Look what that did for Fed!

Think Agassi told him to move up to a 107 O/S and thats what they fought about. Novak didnt want to feel like he was “overcompensating” for something. Agassi told him not to be embarrassed if it will save his career. Radek told him its not what you got, but how you use it. Then he laughed and walked away with some hot blonde. So Novak sacked him.

107????
I dont think today's malnourished nole can even swing that larger framed racquet easily
 

WarrenMP

Professional
Novak just need match experience. The clay season will help sharpen his skills. I see him picking it back up after the grass season. Overall, i don't see 2018 has his year. His best bet is to set up a great 2019.
 

Pagoo

G.O.A.T.
And there's a reason why Fed does that (keep up the positive outlook, the belief that you can still improve your game and that your next big run is around the corner) but what works for one player may not work for the other.

To be honest, I see Djokovic on twitter posting some training videos or some motivational quips (he did the same before his recent matches). It makes me think of an aging Lothario who's trying to convince himself and the ladies that he's still got it.:p

I think at this stage, Djokovic should do less talking and more action. Just my opinion.
 
D

Deleted member 744633

Guest
It's not as simple as that. There's more than just a lack of confidence. If he doesn't break out of this rut soon, it may be the beginning of the end for Djokovic. And that will be really disappointing seeing that the 2 guys he dominated completely, namely Federer and Nadal, are winning slams with ease.
 
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