Djokovic: "I have confidence and motivation, but I need to raise my level a lot"

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Luck is a factor that can always be present and crucially influence the fate of every athlete. Novak Djokovic is having it very much in his favor at this 2026 Australian Open, having reached the semifinals without losing a single set in the round of 16 or quarterfinals. The withdrawal of Mensik and Musetti's injury when he was leading have paved the way for the Serbian, who spoke about it in a press conference.

Tennis, like life, surprises you in ways you couldn't even imagine. One of them is that a 38-year-old is in the Grand Slam semifinals, but even more so is the way he has achieved it. Novak Djokovic seems destined to achieve something important at this 2026 Australian Open, reaching the penultimate round due to a series of circumstances worthy of study. The Serbian appeared before the media after narrowly escaping the abyss against Lorenzo Musetti, and his reflections deserve attention.

This is what Djokovic said after defeating Musetti by retirement at the 2026 Australian Open

Evaluation of his blister issue and when he noticed Musetti's discomfort

"Honestly, the first time I thought I saw him with limitations was at the beginning of the third set, but I have spoken to members of his team and they assure me that the injury occurred in the second set. It didn't seem to affect his tennis at all, so I suppose it was something that got worse," said the Serbian.

"I don't have any major physical issues apart from the blister on one foot. It still doesn't hinder me from moving how I want on the court and playing at my best. Tennis is a very physical sport, and what happened with Lorenzo proves it. He was the better player, close to winning, but everything changed. In a team sport, something like today's event would never have happened, that's why tennis is so demanding. We push our bodies to the limit; I know the feeling Musetti is experiencing right now because I have experienced it several times," Novak commented.

Need to improve for the next match

"Lorenzo's level of play today was spectacular; I don't want to take credit away from him. But it's evident that my performance today was below that of the rest of the tournament. I know that if my body holds up, I will always have a chance, but it's clear that I need to raise my level. I have a lot of confidence and motivation; I know what lies ahead because I have been in this position many times in my career, but I also understand that I need to play better. I am determined to give my best," assured the Balkan.

The ATP calendar is an enemy to the health of tennis players

"That this is the first tournament of the season is a double-edged sword because the preseason is the only time of the year when you can train hard and improve technically and tactically. That is very demanding mentally and physically, and also, when you stop competing for a couple of months, the body can suffer," stated Nole.

Desire to defeat Sinner and Alcaraz

"My biggest rivals will always be Roger and Rafa, that won't change. I respect a lot what Jannik and Carlos are doing and what they will do over the next 10, 15, or 20 years. Only God knows how many Grand Slams they will win. This is a natural cycle of the sport, and it's great for tennis that they are building this rivalry. I am creating my own history, and my goal is always to give myself the opportunity to reach the final in these events. Grand Slams are why I keep playing," analyzed Djokovic.

"Right now, Sinner and Alcaraz are better than me; they have an impressive level and quality, but I won't give up. I will fight until the end and try to defeat them," stated Novak Djokovic, who maintains his enormous motivation to achieve his 25th Grand Slam title of his career at this 2026 Australian Open.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic: "Tengo confianza y motivación, pero necesito subir mucho mi nivel"