With an improved command of Spanish, Novak Djokovic returned to Madrid. Without a confirmed opponent or date (it will be this Saturday) to make his debut in the Mutua Madrid Open, the Serb spoke to the press to talk about his feelings before the tournament. And although he is aware that he is not at his best, he hopes to give a good performance to the Spanish public.
For the first time since 2022, ‘Nole’ returns to Madrid. “What did I miss the most? The atmosphere. I think it’s one of the best. The whole area, the stadiums are very nice, electric when you play at night. I always have a good level of tennis when I play here. Now I’m looking for my best level, to see the level I want, especially for Roland Garros. I don’t have many expectations with the result, to be honest, but I’m very excited to play here. I like to play here because I feel the support of the people, a lot of positive energy. I hope to use this to play well,” said the former world No. 1 in fantastic Spanish.
I don’t have high expectations for the result, to be honest
Alcaraz’s absence
The Serb was quickly asked about announced by the Murcian tennis player himself hours before. He will not be at the MMO and will not play a hypothetical semifinal against Djokovic. He was asked whether Alcaraz would reach the level shown by Nadal, Federer and himself
With his results, at this age, you can already say that he has been more than us at this age
“I think he has already reached that level of tennis. With his results, at this age, it can already be said that he has been more than us at this age. He has the career, he has a lot of time, he has everything necessary to make history. To make an even higher history in our sport. His absence is not good news for the tournament, Carlos always, in the last 2-3 years, is the number one star here. The Spanish public gives him a lot of strength but physically it is normal for him to have problems. He won Monte Carlo and two days later he was in Barcelona. We hope to give good feelings to the public without Alcaraz.”
Novak reflected on the dominance that the Spaniard can achieve, and compared it to his best time and how he shared it with Roger and Rafa: “Yes, there was dominance, obviously, from Rafa on clay, or Roger on grass; I on hard court won, whatever, three or four years in a row: Indian Wells, Miami, one after another… But that also came, for me personally, that level of dominant tennis and achievements, when I was 23, 24 years old and after. So let’s say between 23 and 33 was when it really happened. And now Carlos is not yet 23. We must remember that his age and what he has done for her is not normal either. I’m sure we’ll see him a lot on the big stages with trophies in the future, in 10 or 15 years, as long as he keeps playing.”
And now Carlos is not yet 23. We must remember that his age and what he has done for it, is not normal either
Djokovic’s reflection on Alcaraz, age and competition
“The competition is always there. I think every generation has its own competition. It’s hard to compare eras. The last 20 years were mainly dominated by the four of us, and obviously when my three biggest rivals retired, there was a change, not only in the generations of players who now suddenly focus on them. But I guess it takes a while for people to accept that Roger, Rafa and Murray are not playing, and I guess someday I will too. I’m still trying to stay there and represent the veterans, the previous generation. I hope that has a positive effect on the tournaments and on the tour.”
I guess it’s been a while for people to accept that Roger, Rafa and Murray don’t play, and I guess someday I will too
“That is also one of the reasons why I keep playing: I feel that it also helps tennis to thrive thanks to the attention and the public that attends tournaments and is interested,” Djokovic said. “If you look at the attendance figures at the Grand Slams and some, like Indian Wells, attendance records have been broken in recent years. It’s good news that it doesn’t depend on the great stars or legends who retire. It should be that way, it should be; the sport should outlive everyone, it will outlive everyone, and it’s more important than each individual individually. So we’re all here in the service of a sport.”
You try to contribute to the popularity of tennis, to attract more people, children and other people
And he concluded: “I think it’s something to keep in mind: when you play and do everything you do off the court as an elite player, you try to contribute to the popularity of tennis, to attract more people, children and other people, and to get them interested and excited about tennis. It’s something I see happening, but I think we still have a long way to go in that regard. Yes, that’s pretty much it.”
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