Novak Djokovic returned to the world's top-10 with a commanding win
at Wimbledon and the 31-year-old Serbian explained how he went from
the sidelines of injury to triumph at 'the sanctuary of tennis.'
Novak Djokovic said he felt like a born-again champion
after winning his fourth Wimbledon title on Sunday.
The Serbian dominated in a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7-3) victory over South
African Kevin Anderson, but Djokovic's triumph was made sweeter by
the fact he had been on the comeback trail since January after elbow
surgery.
"There were several moments where I was frustrated and questioning
whether I can get back on desired level or not," said Djokovic, who
will return to the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time
since October 2017 on Monday.
"But that makes this whole journey even more special for me. I really
am grateful to go through this kind of turbulence as well mentally
[some] moments of doubt and disappointment and frustration [and]
anger.
"It's usually in a struggle that you get to know yourself, you get to
have an opportunity to rise like a phoenix and evolve and get
better."
Djokovic admitted that he rushed his return to fitness in March.
The consequences of that came at the French Open when he was shocked
by Italian qualifier Marco Cecchinato in the quarter-finals,
prompting him to say that he might have to skip the grass season
altogether.
"I was still feeling a little bit of discomfort and pain playing
Indian Wells and Miami. I just kept going even though everyone was
against me competing at that stage," said Djokovic.
"My ambitions are quite high. I think maybe I went against myself
especially the first few months post-surgery. The expectations were
so high from myself that I could not understand why I could not
perform and play on the level that I'm used to.
"I lost the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. I wasn't playing my best
in the decisive moments. That was something that I was missing."
Still, he has fought to return to form and reached his first final of
the year in London at the Queen's Club Championships, where he lost
to Marin Cilic, despite having match points to claim the title.
Djokovic was unsure of how he would perform at Wimbledon, but began
to believe after coming through a five-hour epic against long-term
rival Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.
"It took me many tournaments. I couldn't pick the better place in the
tennis world to peak and to make a comeback," he said.
"I did not expect to be back in top shape already here in Wimbledon
so quickly. Playing against Nadal in the semifinals here was the
biggest test that I could have specifically asked for just to see
whether I can prevail.
"That's why I spend a lot of energy and I put a lot of effort to win
that match because I knew how much it means to me, to my
confidence."
Djokovic's fourth Wimbledon crown takes his tally to 13 grand slam
titles, bringing him up to fourth in the all-time major winners list
behind Pete Sampras (14), Nadal (17) and Roger Federer (20).
"It's just a great honour to be in that elite [group]," Djokovic
said.
"Pete Sampras has 14 slams. Out of everyone that I looked up to, [he
was] my biggest role model and idol growing up. To be just one step
away from his record is quite incredible.
"To win four titles in this sanctuary of tennis is quite impressive,
as well, so I'm very proud of it."
Djokovic says after all his doubts and frustrations through injury,
the best thing about his first grand slam win since 2016, was that he
got to share the moment with three-year-old son Stefan.
"It's really hard to compare this year's victory and trophy with any
of the other three because they're all special.
"But if I can pick one, that would be probably the first one and this
year's win because my son was at the trophy ceremony. That is
something I will carry in my heart forever."