Djokovic’s motivation in question post-Olympics, Says Ljubicic: “We’re not far from the generational change”
ATPSaturday, 20 July 2024 at 01:00
Ivan
Ljubicic believes Novak Djokovic will be highly motivated for the Olympic Games
in pursuit of the gold medal, but raised doubts about what will happen
afterward, noting that without Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, “it’s not the
same motivation.”
The former
coach of Federer also commented that the definitive generational shift is
nearing, with Carlos Alcaraz leading the charge. Ljubicic further mentioned
that Djokovic’s issues this season are more psychological than technical.
Ljubicic on Djokovic: Psychological challenges and the End of an Era
Novak
Djokovic faced a new disappointment at the recent Wimbledon, at least by the
Serbian’s standards. Despite a strong campaign in the tournament, where he
outperformed his rivals, he suffered a resounding defeat to Carlos Alcaraz,
2-6, 2-6, 6-7(4).
At this
stage of the season, Djokovic remains without titles, something that has only
happened in his debut season in 2005. The 37-year-old player still has goals
ahead this season, with the Olympic Games as the next challenge, where he will
seek the coveted gold medal.
“For the
Olympic Games, he will definitely have the motivation, but what will happen
after? Without Federer, without Nadal, the circuit is a little different for
him, it’s not the same motivation,” Ljubicic told L’Equipe. “Boris Becker told
me that it seemed to him that Novak had practically accepted Alcaraz’s
superiority, which he had never done with Rafa and Roger. We are not far from
the generational change. That’s life.”
Read also
In March
this year, Ljubicic had already commented on the issues he saw with Djokovic at
that point in the season: “His problem is psychological, he certainly hasn’t
forgotten how to play tennis. Undoubtedly, ‘Nole’ must have fire inside,
otherwise he is missing something,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “He is used
to fighting on every point, to conquering the pitch inch by inch, and if he
doesn’t feel those stimuli, he can get into difficulty.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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