Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic stated that he can relate to basketball superstar LeBron James‘ mentality of calling himself the best player ever to have graced the sport. It is the self-belief and confidence that a player needs to have to be at the top of any sport. Djokovic believes if he calls himself the greatest of all time, there is nothing wrong with that thinking given that he is respectful toward the sport and the opponents.
After breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s all-time NBA scoring record, LeBron James proclaimed himself to be the best basketball player of all time.
“Yes, I can relate to that because I believe that what worked for me and still works for me is that self-belief and confidence level,” Djokovic told The National on the sidelines of the Dubai Tennis Championships. Also Read: Nick Kyrgios Claims He Hasn’t Done Anything Crazy To Be Branded The “Bad Boy” Of Tennis
For Djokovic, self-belief and confidence have helped him to become a legend of the sport. Along with that belief, he has stressed on the importance of respecting his opponent too. “But just self-belief that, hey, I know that when I’m ready, when I’m there out on the court, on any surface, against anybody, I’m better, I’m the best,” he added.
“And I don’t think there’s anything arrogant or pretentious about it, as long as it is balanced with respect towards the opponent. I’ve tried throughout my life to always greet and treat every rival with respect,” he added further. Also Read: Andy Murray Saves 5 MPs To Defeat Lehecka, Reaches Qatar Open Final
Novak Djokovic can miss playing at Indian Wells due to entry requirements
The 22-time Grand Slam champion is set to play in his first tournament since clinching his 10th Australian Open title last month. He will play in the Dubai Open Championships, and is eyeing his sixth trophy in the event plus his third title in 2024.
At the same time, the 35-year-old will also be waiting for the permission to play at the Indian Wells due to the entry requirements. He missed last year’s tournament owing to his not getting vaccinated against COVID-19.
It’s well known that he was deported from Australia last year for being unvaccinated. But this year, after the strict regulations were removed by the Australian government, he returned to bag back-to-back titles, at the Adelaide International and Australian Open. It will be interesting to see if the US allows him to play at the Indian Wells this year. Also Read: Novak Djokovic Looks Forward To Playing In US Despite Being Unvaccinated
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