Novak Djokovic has admitted there is “a lot of trash talk happening inside of my head” during matches and said showing the “bad side” of his emotions is “ugly.”
The world No 1 recognised this is part of who he is, but highlighted the key is “how you overcome those doubts and focus on being in the present.”
Novak Djokovic downed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in straight sets in the third round of the 2024 Australian Open on Friday as he continued his bid for a record-extending 11th title.
The 36-year-old will face world No 19 Adrian Mannarino in the third round after the 35-year-old Frenchman won his third consecutive five-set match at the event with a gruelling win over 16th seed Ben Shelton.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion holds a 4-0 record against Mannarino, with the pair’s last meeting coming at the 2018 Cincinnati Masters.
Following his victory against world No 30 Etcheverry, Djokovic was asked how he talks to himself during moments in matches where he is frustrated.
“Well, it’s not always a positive pep talk. There’s a lot of trash talk happening inside of my head. I guess it’s part of the game. It’s part of who I am,” he said in his press conference.
“I mean, I’m quite certain that everyone goes through their crisis moments, particularly in the matches where they don’t feel their best and they have doubts. The question is how you overcome those doubts and focus on being in the present and trying to get the most out of yourself for the next point.
“I do have extrovert kind of personality. I show my emotions – not always – but it does happen. When I show the bad side of my emotions, it’s ugly and it’s not something I enjoy. It is what it is. I’m trying to fight the demons that I have, as anybody else, on the court.
“Sometimes it works better. Sometimes not so great. You just have to accept the circumstances, depending on how you feel against certain opponent on the given day.
“Sometimes you just wake up not feeling great, and you start to doubt that you can win a match or play well. Those are some of the things you have to deal with mentally during the match.”
The Serbian also addressed having doubts about finding his best level when he starts Grand Slams.
“Oh, yeah, yeah. I’ve been going through that very scenario every match here. Actually I’m really relieved and glad that I played the way I played and felt the way I felt tonight. Definitely much better than what was the case in the first two matches,” Djokovic explained.
“Yeah, coming into the tournament I haven’t really felt great health-wise, physically, and also game-wise. It’s all connected obviously. I haven’t had a best out of the tournament in terms of the quality of tennis, but I’m in the fourth round.
“I believe that things will progress as the tournament goes on. That’s the case tonight and today. Hopefully every day will be better.”