Navratilova ‘shocked’ by Djokovic: “He’s still trying to improve, it’s scary”

An impressive new data. Because it was match number 100 that gave Novak Djokovic his 31st consecutive success at the Australian Open. Only Roger Federer and Serena Williams have played more matches than the Serbian champion in Melbourne. Nole can celebrate this important milestone by qualifying for the round of 16 of the Australian Open 2024.

Djokovic certainly found the best performance of his tournament and beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(2).

Djokovic© Phil Walter / Staff Getty Images Sport

“I didn’t play my best tennis, but I played better than in the first two matches. This is a great change. I’m starting to feel better physically and in terms of my game, but I haven’t played to the best of my ability yet. We don’t always talk about positive pep talks. I guess it’s part of the game and who I am.

Everyone goes through moments of crisis, especially in matches where they don’t feel their best and have doubts. The question is how to overcome these doubts and focus on the present while trying to get the most out of the next point.

I am an extroverted person and I don’t always show my emotions, even the negative ones. It’s not something I like to do, but that’s the way it is. I try to fight my demons, like anyone else, on the court. Sometimes it works, other times not. You just have to accept the circumstances,” said the Serbian champion in the on-court interview.

Navratilova shocked by Djokovic

Martina Navratilova was impressed by what Djokovic is doing. The former Czech-American tennis player said it’s literally scary how Nole is still trying to improve her game, during the Tennis Channel podcast.

“I don’t care what happened before thirty. We’re just built from another DNA because things get harder, you slow down and Novak hasn’t slowed down yet. He’s a consistent professional and I think he had the mentality and the great coach Jelena Gencic and other coaches who came after her. So he had all the basics from an early age and he’s still trying to get better and that’s a scary thought, but to win that much in your thirties is just impressive,” explained Navratilova.