Summary: <img width="580" height="331" src="https://blog.tennisevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/355530-novak-djok-aop-gen-700.jpg" class="attachment-large size-large wp-post-image" alt="" style="float: left; margin: 0 15px 15px 0;"><p><a href="http://blog.tennisevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/355530-novak-djok-aop-gen-700.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-10691"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-10691" src="http://blog.tennisevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/355530-novak-djok-aop-gen-700.jpg" alt="355530-novak-djok-aop-gen-700" width="700" height="350"></a></p> <div class="smart-track-player-container stp-color-2d7bbf-EEEEEE"></div> <h2>Show Notes</h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Hi, it’s Jeff here, and I want to talk to you about Novak Djokovic, probably having, arguably, the best year ever in pro tennis, and has kind of done so quietly.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">I mean here’s a guy that won 3 Grand Slams, he didn’t play great during the hardcore season, but he ended up winning the U.S. Open just by, really, shear heart and battling, beating Federer in the final, and then, he just cleaned up in the indoors season, like he always does, when people aren’t really noticing as much. But here’s a guy who, week-in and week-out, continues to stay motivated. And there are 2 things that I want to point out today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Number 1: here’s a guy who is number 1 in the world, and he’s always being hunted. He’s never the hunter. He’s always the favorite. He always has players coming after him, playing their best, doing whatever they can to frustrate him, get him off his game, and they simply can’t do it. He’s just too good, and I have so much admiration for this, because there were times, in my career, when I was the favorite, and I can tell you that I felt the pressure. I played tight. I played not to lose, and here he is, week-in and week-out, able to do it.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It just shows me that he has the mindpower. He has the mindset. He has disciplined his mind to not be affected by pressure the way that most athletes are at different times. He’s simply the most mentally sound player on the tour, which is a bit ironic, because we know him from several years ago being kind of a basket case.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, he’s really developed that skill, and it is a skill. It’s not like he was born with this. He developed this skill to be the toughest, mentally, to be the player that has the strongest mindset, that does not choke under pressure. Even if he does get a little tight, he always seems to find a way. So, I’m so impressed with that.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The second concept I want to talk about is, how does he keep that motivation to win week-in and week-out? I mean I played on the pro tour, I won challenges, I won college events, and inevitably, the week after winning a tournament, you have a natural let-down. Your ego gets the best of you, you kind of think “Hey, I won a tournament. I can let down my guard. I’ve earned it,” but what’s so impressive with Djokovic is this guy keeps winning week-in and week-out. I mean 10 titles this year, I mean numerous titles every year, multiple Grand Slams, and he’s able to come back the following week and win again, or a couple weeks later and win again.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">And, I just think he is so focused on breaking Roger Federer’s record, that nothing’s going to stop him. Even some devastating losses that he’s had over the years, nothing is going to stop him. And what’s even bigger than him having that mindset that he wants to be the b</span></p>
