On the 60 Minutes podcast, Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis champion, shared his thoughts on various topics, including the emotions he faced during the COVID pandemic and reflected on the 2019 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. Djokovic addressed the notion that he thrives under adversity, such as when facing a hostile crowd.
“The stress and anxiety on the court can be intense, and it’s even harder when the crowd is against you. Some believe I elevate my game when the crowd is unsupportive, but in reality, I always hope for full support from my fans and the tennis community,” he said.
Djokovic also revisited the challenges of the COVID pandemic, a time when he was excluded from the Australian Open due to his vaccination status and faced significant media scrutiny. He described this period as particularly tough, feeling as though he was perceived as the villain.
“During that time, I felt like the world’s scapegoat. I had faced opposition from fans before, but never had I felt the entire world was against me. Although I had an exemption to travel to Australia, things didn’t unfold as expected. I was labeled as anti-vaccine, but my stance was simply about freedom of choice,” he explained.
Reflecting on his career, Djokovic highlighted the 2019 Wimbledon final against Federer as a standout moment. “That match is unforgettable for me. It was an incredible challenge. I remember Federer’s two match points well; he was the better player overall, but I managed to win in the end.”
In other news, Iva Jovic, the youngest player in the US Open main draw, made a memorable debut. At just 16 years old, Jovic earned a wild card entry by winning the USTA U18 National Championships. She secured a 6-4, 6-3 victory over world No. 42 Magda Linette on Court 15, becoming the first player born in 2007 to win a Grand Slam match. Despite serving at only 54%, Jovic made the most of her opportunities, converting 45% of return points into four breaks out of eight chances. She closed out the match by winning the last four games.
Jovic’s performance was marked by her resilience, as she overcame Linette’s brief comeback in the second set. The young American capitalized on Linette’s errors and held firm to secure her place in the second round of the US Open.
