"Over the 74,301 years he's been playing tennis, warming to Novak Djokovic hasn't always been easy. And the man himself knows it, frequently bristling at sleights perceived, imagined and real, his 24 grand slam titles unable to replace the basic need to feel loved. What we all learn from Djokovic, though what even Djokovic himself can learn from Djokovic is how to execute the perennially torturous business of loving yourself."
"A break down in the final set of his semi, he knew that if he kept being himself, the cosmos would ultimately bend to his will, and even if it didn't, he'd still be who he is. It's arguable that no one, ever, in any sport, has kept the scales of nice boy and killer balanced, of playing for fun and for your life, in such glorious equilibrium."
Novak Djokovic combines fierce self-knowledge with a persistent need for personal affirmation, sustaining performance despite perceived slights and ageing. He has translated self-love and exacting standards into exceptional longevity, reaching a major final at 38 after outlasting younger opponents. Playing and practising remain gruelling, but trust, curiosity, hope and a willingness to risk defeat underpin continued excellence. Carlos Alcaraz demonstrates similar self-possession, balancing playfulness and ruthlessness with rare equilibrium. Both players pursue further history: Djokovic could move to 25 majors, while Alcaraz pursues victory that also defies time and expectation.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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