Viktor Troicki: Serbian Olympic team was against Novak Djokovic playing mixed doubles

Serbia’s Olympic team coach and Davis Cup captain Viktor Trociki revealed that he and the rest of the team were against Novak Djokovic playing mixed doubles at the Tokyo Olympics.

Djokovic, who has had a huge 2021 season and is now aiming to win his maiden gold medal, decided to pair fellow compatriot Nina Stojanovic for the mixed doubles event in Tokyo. 

On Thursday, Djokovic and Stojanovic demolished Germany's Kevin Krawietz and Laura Siegemund 6-1 6-2 to reach the semifinal. 

“I was against it. The whole team was against it,” Viktor Troicki, Serbia’s Olympic team coach and Davis Cup captain, told The Associated Press in an interview after Djokovic reached the semifinals in both singles and mixed on Thursday. “It was just him. He wanted to play.”

This season, Djokovic has won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. 

Djokovic is now aiming to win gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and in a month make it all the way at the US Open. 

“I thought he had enough of tennis the last months,” Troicki said. “Really, he played so much.”

Djokovic determined to win his maiden gold medal 

Djokovic, one of the most accomplished players in tennis history, has never won a gold medal at the Olympics.

In the singles event, Djokovic thrashed Kei Nishikori 6-2 6-0 to make the semifinal. 

“Everyone was thinking about the singles,” Troicki said. “When he said he wanted to play mixed, I was like, ‘OK, (if) it means that much to him and he wants to prove that he’s ready and in the mixed matches he’s giving everything, he’s 100% focused on going all the way, then OK.’

“He’s looking for a harder challenge,” Troicki added with a laugh.

Djokovic's coaches Goran Ivanisevic and Marian Vajda didn't travel to Tokyo. 

“It’s working well so far,” Troicki said. “I’m glad he’s having short matches in both events.”

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