Djokovic: ‘Don’t Worry, Be Healthy!’ | ATP Tour

With his progress from the Red Group already secured at the Nitto ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic could have taken it easy in his round-robin finale against Daniil Medvedev on Friday. But rather than look ahead to the semis, the Serbian showcased his champion mentality to win a gruelling three-hour battle and extend his perfect record to 3-0 on the week with a 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(2) result.

But will his exertions — which left him visibly shaking as he sucked wind during changeovers — leave him spent for Saturday’s elimination match against Taylor Fritz? Has he pushed his body beyond its limits?

“I don’t think that a limit exists,” Djokovic said. “It’s really in your head. It’s really about perspective and approach and your perception of how you see things in that given moment.

“Of course, when you’re going through physical struggles, it affects the game, it affects how you feel mentally, it affects your body language. Of course, the opponent likes seeing you down, and he’s trying to dominate in the rallies, he’s trying to get the upper hand of the match, which was kind of the situation that was happening today.

“But I think the biggest battle, as I’ve said before, is always the inner battle. If you manage to find yourself in that optimal state of mind and body as often as you possibly can, I feel you can extract the best and reap the best results for yourself in every moment, every point, every match.”

Djokovic won that mental battle on Friday in Turin. He now faces a physical battle as he seeks to recover, without a rest day, for his Saturday meeting with Fritz. 

“Well, I’m not the freshest guy right now talking to you as I was maybe yesterday,” he admitted, smiling.

The Serbian has shown seemingly superhuman powers of recovery in the past. His experience provides him clarity of mind in this demanding situation, a calmness he hopes will translate to his physical condition.

“On the physical side, I’m not worried because… worry just depletes you of the vital energy you need. If something happens tomorrow in a good or bad way, it happens and I have to deal with it then tomorrow. I’m going to do everything I possibly can today with my physio, with myself, with my team in order to get the good rest, the good recovery. I have things that have always been part of my routine. I know what I need to do.

“I’ve had many cases in my life before…