Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic believed his Wimbledon Grand Slam win in July this year was a huge confidence boost in a tough year as the victory at All England Club (AEC) laid the platform for a strong finish to the year.
Djokovic was deported from Australia in the lead-up to the year’s first Grand Slam in January for not being vaccinated against COVID-19. The 7thseeded (at present) star then struggled to hit top form and only began showing glimpses of his best at the end of the clay season.
The 35-year-old won his fourth straight and 21st Wimbledon title against Australian Nick Kyrgios who got a free pass to the final after separating Rafael Nadal from the semi-final due to injury on July 8. The Wimbledon Grand Slam 2022 final had played between the two on July 16 this year.
Since the Wimbledon title, he won the trophy in Tel Aviv Open, Astana Open, and arriving in France primed to defend his Paris Master title this week.
The first part of the year with everything that happened in Australia, I felt challenged, very much emotionally, mentally off the court and it was affecting my game
Novak Djokovic
I was finding my way to that desired level and that happened towards the end of the clay season. Wimbledon always comes at the right time in my career. When I need that huge confidence boost and big title, Wimbledon is always there.
Djokovic has won the Paris Masters title six times, including his three consecutive wins in 2013 against David Ferrer, vs Milos Raonic in 2014, against Andy Murray in 2015. He also won the title in his last two appearances in 2019 against Denis Shapovalov and vs Daniil Medvedev in 2021. He had picked his maiden title in 2022 after beating Gael Monfils.
He strongly believes that coming back always brings him good memories.
At this level it’s important to have a good feeling on the court and good memory of coming to a place where you have done well, because tennis is a game of fine margins that decide who is going to take win in the match
Often, how you feel mentally, whether you’re fighting with your demons inside in a good or bad way affects the end result. Here I always felt good
Here, it is pertinent to write that Novak Djokovic, who has won US Open Grand Slam titles three times in years- 2011, 2015, and 2018 did not take a part in one of the most prestigious grand slams due to compulsory Covid-19 vaccine dose law before entering the United State (US).
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