Novak Djokovic has accepted a wildcard invitation to compete in the Geneva Open, following his withdrawal from the Rome Open. Using the ATP 250 event as a springboard to refine his game before Roland Garros, Djokovic has made it clear that his pursuit of his 100th career title and continued success is far from over.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of his opening match against Marton Fucsovics, Djokovic acknowledged the challenges he has faced recently but emphasized that his determination to remain competitive at the highest level is unwavering.
“This is a new chapter in my career that I’m trying to navigate,” Djokovic stated. “I’m not really used to these circumstances, with defeats coming one after the other in the first few rounds – even though I knew it would happen at some point”.
Despite these struggles, Djokovic reaffirmed his ambitions, citing his desire to compete with the world’s best and continue adding to his impressive trophy collection.
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates defeating Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria after their Miami Open semifinal. (Al Bello/Getty Images)
“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved in my career, but I still have the desire to do everything I can to reach my best level so I can win Grand Slam tournaments and beat the best players in the world,” he continued. “That’s why I’m here. I want more trophies, I want to build my form ahead of the French Open”.
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The 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that his motivation for the sport remains strong, though he acknowledges the need to adapt to the physical demands of his evolving career. “My motivation is still there, but it’s a transition period where I need to understand how my body reacts, where I need to deal better with the circumstances,” he added.
Preparing for Roland Garros
Claiming another Grand Slam title is high on Djokovic’s list of goals, as it would not only bring him to 25 majors but also secure his place as the all-time leader in Grand Slam titles, surpassing Margaret Court. Djokovic emphasized the importance of using the Geneva Open as a testing ground for sharpening his skills on clay.
“With the idea of being successful, especially at the Grand Slams, even though I want to shine everywhere I play. The majors are the pinnacle of our sport. I hope that I can play more than one match here to get a better start to the French Open, the most important tournament on clay,” Djokovic explained.
