Gilles Simon explains why Novak Djokovic prevails against him in tight matches

Former world No. 6 Gilles Simon admitted to changing a few of his routines in order to make things more interesting.

Simon, who turned professional in 2002, is nearing the end of his career as he is now 36 years of age. 

Simon, now ranked at No. 64 in the world, hasn't played yet this season but he is definitely prepared to play.

"When you are doing speed workouts, it’s always a little more fun than running around in the woods, or weight training," Simon told Alize Lim on Tennis Majors. “That’s a little more boring, too. It’s a bit more games, reactions, etcetera.

“I’d like to feel as good on the court as possible. Physically I was really a machine. I could spend twice as much energy as needed and still stay in the match. Now if I spend twice as much energy, even if it’s in a set, either I get hurt of can’t hold on.”

Simon explains what separates the best from the best 

Simon, one of the most experienced players on the Tour, has played numerous times against the higher-ranked players but also against the lower-ranked player.

For an example, Simon has had some close battles with world No. 1 Novak Djokovic but the Serb always finds a way to win. 

Multiple matches between the two went into a decider but Djokovic owns a dominant 11-1 head-to-head record against Simon. 

"How many matches have I played against players that are 200 or 300? I feel we are playing the same,” Simon said. “Then it comes to an important moment and I can maintain a level under pressure and it’s higher than him. And vice versa, when I play these guys, Novak (Djokovic), I lose 6-4 or 7-5 in the third. When we play each other we’re close but when it’s money time, what’s good about him is stronger than what’s good about me. So he finally wins. Same for Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal).”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2KO1wGT