Djokovic’s Secret: Playing for More than Himself

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Djokovic’s Secret: Playing for More than Himself

Novak Djokovic is on an incredible tear in China, having won his last 16 matches and 20 sets to place himself on the cusp of a 25th Masters 1000 title.

Video: Djokovic's Cat to Andy Murray's Mouse

On Sunday at the Shanghai Masters, he’ll face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga for a chance to become the first player to ever win five Masters 1000 titles in a single season twice. Ten months into the ATP’s grueling season, the ten-time major champion is still approaching each match with a burning desire to compete and win, and it shows. Djokovic says that the fact that he’s already locked up the ATP’s year-end No. 1 ranking does not cause his motivation to languish whatsoever.

So what’s his secret? How does he stay so locked in at a time when it would be easy to let down his guard and perhaps even think about the holidays on tap. He was asked about that earlier in the week in Shanghai and responded in his typical professional fashion.

“I don't allow myself to really lose the concentration or commitment to any tournament because it's my life,” he said. “I have a responsibility not just towards myself but towards the team of people that travels with me. So I accept and approach every tournament equally professionally and serious. I try to give my best anytime I'm on the court.

Djokovic says the added pressure of being the ATP's top-ranked player with a target on his back has only made him eager to live up to the reputation that he’s built for himself, rather than shy away from it.

“As No.1 of the world, it's another dimension of responsibility and attention that you have,” he said. “You need to be able to carry yourself well because everybody wants to win against you. You don't want to lose. You want to go out on the court and fight for the wins as much as anybody else.

“That's the way I've been brought up. Regardless of the category of the event that I'm playing on, I'm always going to try my best. I think that kind of approach allows me to motivate myself and to stand up each day and do repetitively things that I've been doing for so many years. In the end I know it pays off.”

It certainly has paid off for Djokovic of late. He’s won 37 of his last 38 matches in China, and he’s reached the 70-win mark for the fifth time in his career. If the season ended today his current winning percentage (.935) would be the highest of his career, and he’s just six wins shy of his all-time best win total of 78.

In the prime of his life Djokovic has set an example for other players to follow. He has not rested on his laurels or become satisfied with his success. His unselfish approach to his career and to his tennis helps him find the motivation to reach higher, to achieve more and to honor the game with a passion and professionalism that is every bit as unique as his athleticism.

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