Novak Djokovic, huh? There was a time he actually thought about hanging up his racket for good. Yeah, you read that right.
Back in the day, specifically 2018, Djokovic couldn’t even picture himself playing in 2024. Retirement seemed like the next logical step. Crazy to think about now, considering he’s the world’s number one as of 2024.
But let’s rewind a bit. Back then, things were… let’s just say, not great. Despite being one of the top players, he was battling this nagging elbow injury. It had been over a year, and nothing seemed to work.
Imagine that. You’re at the top of your game, but you’re losing matches left and right. Not playing your best tennis. And that elbow? No solution in sight. Frustration was Djokovic’s constant companion.
Post-2018 Miami Open, Djokovic was at his wit’s end. He told his team, “That’s it. I’m done with tennis.” But, after cooling off, his team convinced him to give it another shot. So, he opted for surgery on that troublesome elbow, hoping against hope it would turn things around.
And guess what? It did.
During a recent chat at the Upfront Summit, Djokovic opened up about those dark days. Perseverance was the theme, a trait that’s defined his career.
“I had a fantastic career, and no one was really telling me ‘Maybe you should think of slowing down.’ I did feel like I wanted to leave tennis, I must say that, particularly a few months after the surgery.”
He continued, “I played the worst tennis that I ever played. I was losing to guys that I never lost to, and I just felt miserable on the court, and I felt, ‘maybe this is the moment.’ So I gathered my team and I told them I was starting to distance myself from professional tennis, I thought it was maybe time for the next chapter.”
Talk about a rollercoaster, right? From contemplating retirement to bouncing back stronger, Djokovic’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Makes you think, doesn’t it? About perseverance, about not giving up, even when the going gets tough.
Takeaways
– ‣ Novak Djokovic seriously contemplated retirement back in 2018 due to a persistent elbow injury and a series of disappointing performances.
– ‣ Despite considering retirement, Djokovic decided to undergo surgery for his elbow after encouragement from his team, which ultimately led to a significant turnaround in his career.
– ‣ Djokovic’s reflections on this challenging period highlight perseverance as a key theme in his career, emphasizing the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.