Posted on 07/28/2021 12:13:31 PM PDT by SmokingJoe
Novak Djokovic said “pressure is a privilege” after keeping his Golden Slam bid intact at the Tokyo Olympics, where the decision of gymnast Simone Biles to withdraw from two events over mental health concerns has put the spotlight on athletes’ wellbeing. World number one Novak Djokovic is trying to become the first man to win all four Grand Slams and Olympic gold in the same year, and emulate the feat achieved by Steffi Graf in 1988.
The Serb is thriving on the Olympic experience, mingling and posing for pictures with athletes from all walks of life in the village, cutting an extremely relaxed figure as he goes in search of history.
“Pressure is a privilege. Without pressure there is no professional sport,” said Djokovic after his 6-3, 6-1 win over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round on Wednesday.
“If you are aiming to be at the top of the game, you better start learning how to deal with pressure and how to cope with those moments.”
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...
Joker does pull medical stunts during a game.
That said, he is an incredible machine of a player.
Class act. He’s had his ups/downs, injuries, but he finds a way to work his way through. He’s a great example for younger players.
Naomi is young enough that IMO she is self-destructing any long-term career she may have.
Simone is older - if her heart isn’t in it any nore, she’s ‘afraid’ when she gets on an apparatus as to what injuries could happen, and she’s in constant pain every morning when she has to go to the gym, then retire. Too bad a retirement would be after the low point in her career which is this Olympics.
They pull off medical miracles when he takes his “breaks” to the bathroom or other medical breaks..
I watch for those opportunities when he is getting killed so I can bet on him with good odds. Then he comes back and wins.
Sometimes I wonder if he is just psyching the other player out only to come back and mentally destroy him.
The ability to handle pressure was what I always liked about Tiger Woods. So many golfers have the talent; but when it gets down to the last round, they wilt under pressure. In his prime, Tiger had ice water in his veins.
Golf is one of the most high pressure games out there. So far, I haven’t seen any of the top professionals quit a big game because he has “mental stress”.
Heck, mental stress is what you are supposed to deal with at the top of professional sports.
LOL. Every time Joker takes a medical time out or does a limp, I always say, here we go……..yes he is a wizard on the tennis court. But, if there was ever a pro tennis player who thrives on pressure it would have to be Raphael Nadal. The big three, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer know pressure is the key word in professional sports, if you don’t embrace it, you don’t win.
The pressure in a sport like golf or tennis has nothing to do with risking a life-threatening injury as it does in Gymnastics. I can understand why Simone Biles pulled out but I do not understand why anyone is calling her hero.
I think there is a certain element of psychology involved. He’s got the best of the best trainers, etc. & I think he’s also able to go really ‘deep’ when the chips are down.
My nephew played college tennis, has been in a lot of tournaments, etc ... just retired as a teaching pro. I have seen him do some amazing things, including playing with injuries or getting injured in a match & going on. Some of the best years of my life were watching him play and I have a small idea of what it takes to be a champ, but Djoko is at a whole ‘nother level from most tennis players.
Gymnastics is way more dangerous than the vast majority of sports. So perhaps there should be backup, easier/safer routines gymnasts can have in their pocket should there be too much pressure to do the skills that they would normally attempt at their peak.
Not that there are any easier routines in gymnastics at that level but Simone is on a whole other sphere!
“If you are aiming to be at the top of the game, you better start learning how to deal with pressure and how to cope with those moments.”
Where I get confused, is that, she already knows about this. She won multiple gold medals at the Rio Olympics. She’s been to the very top of her chosen sport. She knows what it takes to get to the very top. Something happened to her which has affected her ability to perform, or even try to perform.
What is surprising to me is that he built that body and that record with a vegan lifestyle
Tennis is one of those sports that a transgender female trying to play a male in 5 sets is just not going to end well for most. Not even sure Serena Williams in her day could take out Novak or any of the other top players
The ritalin issue has come up. Not sure she is allowed to take it in Japan.
Some people can do vegan, most can’t for any length of time (average 5-7 years & then they’re so malnourished, they quit). I am sure, just like his trainers, he’s got top-notch nutritional advice and supplements where he needs to. I knew he was eating “clean”, didn’t realize he’d gone vegan.
Compare the courage of Kerri Strug at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta vs. Simone Biles. Two US gymnasts who were faced with doing what it takes for the team... only one exemplifies the fighting spirit of America.
I married a Serbian woman. Those people are extremely pragmatic and tough minded. Not surprised at all this is Djoko’s attitude.
He's right. As another great man said 'if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen'.
My opinion, I think tennis is the most strenuous and mentally challenging sport out there. Daughter was a collegiate tennis player and have sat on the sidelines for years watching. In her division one HS divisional playoffs to make the states, she was leading in singles 6-0 5-2. She went up for an overhead, came down on her ankle and it was swollen in seconds, she barely got up, finished serving the game out, with all she had and won. When I went out to her on the ground, she said, “I haven’t worked this hard for so many years to make the states, and let it end this way, I’m finishing this match”.
Have sat through hundreds of tennis matches and seen some incredibly skilled junior tennis players and watched them lose, time after time. Also saw kids that were not as skilled and won all the time, they were tough minded and loved the pressure.
See post #15.
Twenty-four is old for a female gymnast.
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