"Fight to survive another day": Novak Djokovic explains how he overcame illness to win 2023 Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic has explained how he fought through illness to win his seventh title at the 2023 Paris Masters.

After taking a break following the US Open, Djokovic returned to the ATP Tour in Paris. However, fans were left concerned after the World No. 1 revealed that he was suffering from a stomach bug during his second-round match against Tallon Griekspoor.

Djokovic overcame the Dutch player in a three-set battle and explained afterward why he had struggled during the match.

"Well it’s hard to have a clear mind when you spent more time on the toilet seat than on the court the last three days," he said, "Just the energy levels were very low the last few days and I’m taking it day by day. Today is probably the worst day so I’m just hoping that tomorrow will be better, that the curve will start going in the right direction for me."

Although his next two matches against Holger Rune and Andrey Rublev also went to three sets, Djokovic showed off his physical and mental endurance by defeating both players to book his place in the final. Once there, he seemed a little off in the first few games but quickly recovered and downed Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to win the title.

After the final, Djokovic was asked what it meant for his rivals that he was able to win an ATP Masters 1000 title while being ill.

"You have to ask them. I don’t know. I just try to do my best, as everybody else. On a given day you have to encounter different things. People expect you to always be at your best, to be always reaching the finals, I mean in my case.

"I'm glad that that's the case that people kind of see me as one of the main favorites in every single tournament. But at the same time we are also human beings that have to deal with different things off the court, whether it's health-wise, emotions, or whatever is happening in your private life," he said.

The Serbian player then added that he simply had to "accept the circumstances" and try to do his best in light of the situation.

"I tried to do my very best this week and I think I have done under the circumstances. In every match actually, my level was not to the level that I normally would play in the biggest tournaments. It's one of those weeks where you just have to accept the circumstances and fight to survive another day," he continued.