Novak Djokovic has dispelled any hope his rivals might have that he could be slowing down, saying he feels as youthful as ever at this year’s Wimbledon.
The world No2 is bidding to extend his record number of Grand Slam singles titles with No24 a week on Sunday.
He has not dropped a set in his two matches to date at SW19, coming through his latest a 6-3, 7-6, 7-5 winner against a spirited Jordan Thompson.
There were hints that the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s body might be beginning to break down when it was revealed that he had won the Australian Open back in January with a three-centimetre tear in his hamstring.
But he came through the French Open both victorious and unscathed, and insisted he was fit and fresh going into Friday’s third round at SW19.
“You’re only as young or old as you feel,” said one of the elder statesmen of the men’s draw. “I feel young in my own body, in my own head, in my heart.
“I’m still playing the sport that I fell in love with when I was very young. I think that is something that is very refreshing.
“I still have to say that I’m really fortunate and blessed to have a healthy body really. Still at this stage after 20 years of professional tennis, I’m able to compete at the highest level.”
Djokovic has made no secret of his obsession with the record books after what was his 30th straight victory at Wimbledon, also becoming only the third player behind Roger Federer and Serena Williams to win 350 Grand Slam matches in the process.
At Wimbledon, he is bidding to equal Federer’s record of eight singles titles, one Federer said this week he hoped his former rival achieved. In addition, Wimbledon is the third part in Djokovic’s quest for a first clean sweep of the Grand Slams in a calendar year.
And he admitted his penchant for the record books was both a motivator and also piled on the weight of expectation.
He said: “Every time I walk on the court, particularly in Grand Slams and on Centre Courts, I feel tremendous pressure and expectations from myself, from people around that are watching live or on TV, the whole tennis world.
“It’s a feeling that I’m used to by now, and it’s something that I also embrace because it’s giving me further motivation to strive to make more history.
“I don’t think it’s ever going to change as long as I’m playing really. Regardless of the Grand Slam count fact, I still want to make my own results and my own journey. I think that’s what drives me nowadays.”
