'That's what makes Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic so good', says analyst

After recovering from a nasty defeat in the Roland Garros final, in which he won just seven games against Rafael Nadal, ATP number one Nole Djokovic made his return to Vienna, Austria, a tournament he hadn't played since 2007. The Serbian overtook Filip Krajinovic and Borna Coric in two sets, but was clearly beaten by Italian Lorenzo Sonego, who ousted him with an incredible score of 6-2 6-1. Novak chose not to take part in the Paris-Bercy round, since the French tournament would not allow him to accumulate any points in the standings, nor to lose them. Novak Djokovic is 33, but Daniela Hantuchova believes he will continue to dominate tennis for the foreseeable future. Hantuchova also explained how Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have a balanced life outside tennis which has helped extend their careers.

Hantuchova on Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

"Given Novak Djokovic's willpower and fitness, he can be around for a very long time,' Daniela Hantuchova said. "I feel he has so much left in his game. He is so strong physically and mentally I would say at least four or five years. The way the physios do their work and the rehab, the recovery techniques are completely different to what they were 15 years ago so he recovers better. Perhaps it's really about whether it still fulfils him." Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have both said at various points that spending time with family and friends at home. 'They've got a great balance in life and they know how to take their focus off tennis,' Hantuchova said. 'That's what makes them so good. But when they come to the court it is all about tennis. And when you win so often, it's a feeling that you just want to keep repeating." Hantuchova also believes that the players are grateful for the ability to play tournaments after returning from the tennis shutdown in August due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I think it has made them really appreciate what they do for a living and how much of a privilege it is. We saw that when the tour came back, players were hungry and that's why we have seen so many comebacks at places like Roland Garros," Hantuchova said. "In normal times you go from one week to another, and maybe you are a set and a break down - it's not like you give up but at the back of your mind you think there's always another week. In this situation everyone is giving everything and that's been refreshing to see," she added.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/389hGUO