World number one Novak Djokovic has revealed the key role that meditation plays in his supreme mental strength both on and off the court.
Djokovic is well-known for being perhaps the toughest player tennis has ever seen in the biggest moments, with no better illustration of it being when he won Wimbledon despite Roger Federer having two match points against him in the final.
When asked in a webchat by ATP rival Fabio Fognini about what helps him summon the calm and confidence he needed in those moments, Djokovic revealed all.
“Breathing exercises are a lot more useful than people think,” Djokovic explained.
“A proper breathing rhythm is a key to understanding and improving our own mental, physical and emotional statuses.
“I do it when I need serenity or after I wakes up, in order to have more dynamic energy.
“Meditation isn’t a religious thing, it’s rather something personal that I do to stay healthy, especially given the sensory and informational overload we experience in the contemporary world.
“I’ve been doing it for a decade, and it’s been useful both on and off-court.”
Novak Djokovic: I’ve received many messages and letters from lower-ranked players
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic says lower-ranked players have been thanking him a lot for his initiative to help them. Djokovic, 32, proposed that top-100 players each donate from 5,000-30,000 to player relief fund. The money gathered then would be distributed to the players most affected by the Tour suspension.
“I have received many messages and letters of gratitude from those [lower ranked] players. I am privileged to have the position I have. There have been many conversations with ATP about this problem,” the Serb said during his Instagram Live with Fabio Fognini.
The ATP suspended the Tour initially for six weeks on March 12. The ATP then extended the suspension through to June 7, before the decision was made to further extend the suspension to July 13.
Ever since the Tour got suspended, players have been urging the key stakeholders of tennis to find a way to help lower-ranked players. Djokovic, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, took it on himself and came out with a clear plan how to help lower-ranked players during the coronavirus pandemic lockdown.
