"Novak Djokovic has family, kids with him"- Viktor Troicki explains why Serb feels better mentally at Paris Olympics compared to failed Tokyo campaign
According to Serbia's Olympic tennis team captain Viktor Troicki, Novak Djokovic is in a better mental space at the 2024 Paris Olympics than at the Tokyo Games, where he finished fourth. Troicki stated the presence of his family, especially the kids, in Paris has calmed the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
At the Tokyo Games in 2021, Djokovic looked poised to at least secure a silver medal for Serbia as he led Germany's Alexander Zverev 6-1, 2-1 in the semifinals of the singles event. However, he lost the plot altogether as Zverev turned the tide to win the match 1-6, 6-3, 6-1, and eventually took home the gold.
The World No. 2 is currently on course for the elusive gold medal at the Paris Olympics as he booked a place in the quarterfinals after beating Germany's Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3 in the third round on Wednesday, July 31. He will play Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas next.
In an interview with CLAY, Viktor Troicki talked about his fellow Serb's campaign in Paris so far, and how it compared to the failed one in Tokyo.
"Here he has family with him, kids are with him, so I think he feels better here mentally and that is the most important thing for him at this moment," Troicki said.
Troicki suggested the 37-year-old succumbed to pressure against Zverev in Tokyo, saying:
"It was a huge experience for him, you know, 6-1, 2-1 with the break, against Zverev in the semifinals. Everything going well, everything. But he’s also a human. Zverev started playing better. He started feeling a little bit of pressure and at the end it cost him the match."
"He won so many big titles, but this was the first time he felt the goal was there, so close. I think here in Paris he’s more relaxed, more focused on the things he needs to do."
Djokovic eventually ended up losing his bronze medal match against Pablo Carreno Busta.
"Novak Djokovic also made a mistake playing mixed doubles" - Viktor Troicki
In the same interview with CLAY, Viktor Troicki labeled Novak Djokovic's decision to pair up with fellow Serb Nina Stojanovic to fight for the medals in the Tokyo Olympics mixed doubles event as well.
Troicki opined the Beijing bronze medalist maxed out because of his efforts in the mixed doubles.
"He also made a mistake playing mixed doubles. I think he also lost energy playing mixed doubles for no reason. It was extremely hot there and here he’s only focused on the singles title and he’s doing everything to accomplish it," Troicki said.
Notably, Djokovic and Stojanovic were up against Australia's John Peers and Ashleigh Barty in the bronze medal match in Tokyo but the 24-time Grand Slam champion pulled out.