Novak Djokovic Admits He Sometimes 'Feels Embarrassed' By His Behavior
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Novak Djokovic might be the best tennis player in the world, but he's also a very fiery character, which he often shows on the tennis courts.
Djokovic never shied away from expressing his emotions on the tennis courts. Whether it was breaking his racket when he was angry, clashing with the crowds, or even umpires, the Serbian has a very expressive character.
Some see it as a negative trait, but it's not necessarily negative. Djokovic is a competitor at heart, and he competes because he loves the sport. At the end of the day, that's why he hasn't retired yet.
Although he's not on the tennis courts at the moment, Djokovic recently sat down with the Montenegrin publication Vijesti, and one of the questions he received was also why he hasn't retired from the sport yet.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that he loves tennis. He also believes that it helps him to grow as a person, which is why he continues playing.
"Primarily, it’s because of my love for tennis and for sports. Secondly, I believe that tennis helps me grow the most as a person—no matter how strange that may sound."
Djokovic also admitted that on the tennis court, he gets to feel something he doesn't get to feel anywhere else. He goes through an incredible number of emotions, even those that sometimes make him feel embarrassed afterward.
"On the court, during a match, I go through a million emotions—the best and the worst ones—doubt, criticism, ecstasy, satisfaction, anger, rage, and everything in between. Sometimes, in those few hours, I even feel embarrassed by what I go through and how I behave, as well as by the thoughts that cross my mind."
"But in any case, I am proud that I can experience all of this in a human and sporting manner and still shake hands with my opponent, whether I win or lose. I think these are the values that sports promote and the reason why people identify with athletes. Especially in an individual sport, where you first have to defeat yourself before you can defeat the opponent across the net."
Djokovic is one of the players who inspires future generations of tennis players, and that's also one of the reasons why he continues competing. He feels like he can still achieve something and inspire others.
"These are all life lessons I go through, and beyond that, I truly feel that by playing professional tennis, I continue to inspire younger generations to pick up a racket—not just in our country but around the world."
"That is what drives me; it truly gives me strength. The privileged position and status I have are things I cherish. I would love for everyone to play tennis, but I would be just as happy if they took up any sport, with or without a ball, because physical activity is essential—for health and for everything else—from the youngest age."
