"I am trying to enjoy myself a bit more": Novak Djokovic aims to shed 'robotic' on-court persona with more relaxed approach
ATP
Novak Djokovic is taking a more relaxed approach to the game nowadays as he reaches the twilight of his career. He made his return to Tennis Paradise on Saturday sealing a hard fought win over Aleksandar Vukic 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 to reach the third round at Indian Wells.
But when quizzed about his balance between on-court focus and off-court fun, he said that he is still maintaining his competitive spirit but without having such an eye on it any more that it is robotic like the past. He said that his aim is always to enjoy himself a bit more off court and find time to do things which he hasn't been able to do for 20 years while playing.
"It's a good question because I try to balance things out. Meaning, there's a part of me that is a fierce competitor that wants to win every single match, every single tournament, and you know, I have to do my chores, respect the routine, be disciplined, and still have the drive," Djokovic said.
"But at the same time, I am also trying to enjoy myself a bit more and pay attention to off-court activities, people, and things that I haven't had a chance in almost 20 years to do really," he added.
"So, I'm kind of more picky and more selective with the tournaments where I'm playing and competing, which gives me a bit more time to work around my off-court schedule and watch Lakers or Jokic, spend some quality time with my family, go around LA and come in earlier, those are, I guess, the pros of not playing the lead-up tournaments to Indian Wells. It gives you a bit more time, which is lovely," he continued.
"I mean, I'm still trying to find a balance because I've been kind of very robotic about things for the last almost 20 years, and yeah, I'm just trying to enjoy myself," he added.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
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