“I don't have that ego”: Novak Djokovic opens up on the mindset keeping him motivated at 39

Sunday, 30 August 2026 at 04:30

Novak Djokovic celebrating at the US Open

Novak Djokovic has admitted that he no longer approaches the later stages of his career with the same ego that once drove him, embracing a different mindset as he prepares for his 20th US Open appearance. The 39-year-old arrives in New York with another opportunity to add to his remarkable Grand Slam record.

The Serbian has already enjoyed deep runs at the majors in 2026, reaching the Australian Open final before making the Wimbledon semi-finals, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. His Roland Garros campaign ended in the third round, while his most recent tournament ended abruptly in Cincinnati with a first-round defeat to Argentina's Thiago Tirante.

That early exit was far from ideal, but Djokovic believes it ultimately gave him something valuable: time. Rather than dwelling on the result, the 24-time Grand Slam champion used the extra days to prepare his body and mind for another demanding best-of-five campaign in New York.

Djokovic has an extraordinary 95-15 record at the US Open, an 86% winning percentage, and four titles to his name, with his most recent triumph coming in 2023. Five victories this year would take him to 100 wins in New York, completing a remarkable milestone of 100 victories at every Grand Slam.

Djokovic has changed his perspective

The veteran was asked about his motivation at this stage of his career, particularly after having to manage a schedule that looks very different from the one he had earlier in his career. His answer suggested that the desire to compete remains strong, but his relationship with winning and losing has changed significantly.

“Oh, too many things that I still want to do in a way in the sport. But the biggest one for me right now is to really grow," Djokovic said at press conference. "And I think this goes hand in hand with what I do. I think tennis has always helped me in so many different areas of my life. Without a doubt is the thing that I'm the most grateful to ever be able to do that.”

Novak Djokovic passionately celebrating at Wimbledon

The former world No. 1 then explained that he has stopped measuring himself solely through results, describing a much more internal approach to competition.

“But I think at the moment, I'm running my own race, and I don't, you know, I love when I win, but also when I lose, I'm finding a very different angle to learn from that. And I think back in the day, I was very, very critical of myself, and we know how it is. Like, we all play tennis, and you know, you get into a head place that it becomes very, very difficult.”

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The change, according to Djokovic, has been learning to treat himself differently while continuing to enjoy a career whose remaining length is impossible to predict.

“Now I'm just trying to be a little bit more kinder to myself and keep enjoying the journey, keep enjoying the game, because it's so fun. You don't know how much more you're going to play. And that's why, you know, being in a main draw again means a lot to me.”

Cincinnati exit gave Djokovic valuable time

Djokovic's first-round defeat to Tirante in Cincinnati could have been viewed as a worrying sign heading into the final Grand Slam of the season. Instead, the Serbian believes the early loss allowed him to make better use of the two weeks before the US Open.

He was clear that he would have preferred to win, but the additional preparation time has given him an opportunity to arrive in New York feeling ready.

“I mean, I don't like early losses anywhere, to be honest, but it gave me time to be preparing for US Open in the most adequate way. And I had, you know, almost a few weeks, actually a few weeks, two weeks to really train and get my body and mind into the right state, prepared for what's coming up.”

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Still, Djokovic knows that preparation can only tell him so much. Training cannot replicate walking onto Arthur Ashe Stadium for a best-of-five Grand Slam match, particularly at this stage of his career.

“I mean, if you ask me if I'm prepared, I feel like I am, you know, as best as I can be, but, you know, it's different training and then getting out on the Arthur Stadium and playing best of five. You don't normally play best of five on the practice session, so let's see, let's see how it goes.”

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His immediate objective is therefore straightforward: survive the opening hurdle and build from there. “You know, the opening matches are always for me, particularly in the last few years, quite challenging. So I hopefully can overcome, you know, the first hurdle and build from there.”

A run to the semi-finals would not only give Djokovic another deep Grand Slam campaign. It would also take him to 100 US Open victories, adding another extraordinary chapter to a career that continues to defy conventional expectations.

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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