Gilles Simon: Roger Federer is the hardest player to read

French tennis star Gilles Simon says it has always been clear that Novak Djokovic works hard on the mental aspect, before he added that Roger Federer is the hardest player to read on the court since he always seems so calm and collected. 

Djokovic, ranked at No. 1 in the world, has won 17 Grand Slam titles over the course of his career and his exceptional mental strength has played a key part in his success on the biggest stage. 

Djokovic's mental strength has always been considered as one of his biggest strengths on the court. 

"When I started to work specifically on the mental aspect, I immediately understood who was working hard on it and who was not,” Simon wrote in his book 'The Sport that Drives you crazy', as quoted on Sportskeeda. “Novak works (on it), and he's one of those who doesn't hide it.”

Simon, a former world No. 6, says Djokovic is always locked in and focused on winning the point. 

"It is obvious with him, just in his position before each point, especially on the return, when he is firmly planted on his two feet, we get up to do our thing," Simon added. "With his eyes, there you see that he is doing a kind of hypnosis, it puts himself in a certain prepared state.”

Simon says Federer extremely tough to read 

Federer, a record 20-time Grand Slam champion, is well-known for his calm demeanor and he never panics on the court. 

"Federer we do not see (emotions), he is the one who is the hardest to read,” Simon continued.

"He gives you the impression that everything is going smoothly, all the time, that gives credence to the idea that controlling emotions is innate to him, that he is not afraid of anything.

"He gives the impression of validating that, namely: 'I come (to play), I have my intentions for the game, I have no emotions, I am like that all the time even in the important moments and I won 20 Grand Slam titles like that.'"

Federer is now tied with Rafael Nadal on the all-time Grand Slam record list as the Spaniard now also has 20 Majors in his collection. 

Federer, 39, underwent a season-ending knee injury few months ago and he is hoping to be ready for the Australian Open. 

Djokovic, who ended runner-up at this past French Open, is still hoping to overtake Federer and Nadal on the all-time Grand Slam record list.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3eexqa4