Novak Djokovic recently shared his thoughts on why his WTA colleagues shouldn’t agree to play five-set matches. His statements came on Sunday, March 8, when the world celebrated International Women’s Day.
Djokovic is currently competing at the Indian Wells Masters, and he faced Kamil Majchrzak in his opening match on Sunday. Despite losing the first set, the Serb won 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.
At the post-match press conference, the 38-year-old fielded several questions about his performance. In addition, he was asked to comment on Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley’s suggestion of women playing best-of-five sets. Saying that he doesn’t recommend it, Djokovic explained the physical and mental challenges of five-set matches.
“I don’t recommend (smiling). It feels like when you’re preparing for a Grand Slam, you play best-of-five for us, it feels like you’re preparing for something completely different, completely different tour, different physical preparation and mental preparation,” said Djokovic.
Drawing from his own experience at this year’s Australian Open semifinals against Jannik Sinner, he added:
“Because some matches can go, you know, three, four, five, six hours. And I have played, you know, the longest Grand Slam final in history. I was part of that with Nadal in 2012, went almost six hours in Australia. So just grueling. I mean, incredibly grueling and demanding, and I played recently with Jannik, I don’t know what it was, almost, whatever it was, four-and-a-half, almost five hours in Australia.”
“I mean, back in 2012, my body recovered much faster than what is the case today after such marathon, long matches. Yes, you do have a day between matches in Grand Slams, but when you have a match like that, that is, you know, four-, five-plus hours, it’s just taking a big toll on your physical condition. Very hard to recover and be able to, I guess, be ready for the next challenge,” the Serb continued.
“Obviously mentally, as well, of course. But physically, it’s a whole different animal, so to say, that you’re facing in Grand Slams compared to anything else that we have on the tour,” he concluded.
Novak Djokovic Reveals The Importance Of 2028 LA Olympics In His Career
At the same press conference, Novak Djokovic discussed the 2028 LA Olympics and shared whether he will defend his title from the Paris Olympics. He won his first Olympic gold medal after besting Carlos Alcaraz in a 2-hour 50-minute straight-set victory in 2024.
Opening up about whether he wishes to defend this title at the 2028 Olympics, Djokovic said:
“Yeah, it would be nice. That’s one of the long-term goals, let’s call it, a way to reach the Olympics. That would be nice. I mentioned it a couple of times in the last year or so. You know, it’s still a long way. I think at my age and my stage of my career, every year seems like, you know, a longer period than for anyone else who is younger. But I’ll try to make it, definitely one of the motivations, so try to be there.”
Novak Djokovic will next lock horns with Aleksander Kovacevic in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday. Before the Indian Wells Masters, the Serb competed at the Australian Open, where he lost 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.
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