Novak Djokovic He moves like a fish in water when there is a problem that exponentially increases the magnitude of the challenge that chasing the title of a Masters 1000 ATP category tournament entails in himself.
But since he already has a record of 40, other incentives help him get his teeth up and reach the goal through an unexpected path. In Paris, he won for the seventh time in his career, overcoming not only rivals, but above all the biggest enemy he said he faced in the French capital: a stomach virus.
He announced his existence when he eliminated the Dutchman with difficulty, in three sets. Tallon Griekspoor. It was Thursday. On Friday he also exhausted his options against the Dane Holger Rune, calling the doctor after the initial heat subsides. On Saturday he suffered to overcome the Russian Andrey Rublev. In three days, nine sets, also nine hours.
He reached the final, where everything was easier for him, defeating the Bulgarian 6-4, 6-3. Grigor Dimitrov in 1h.38′.
“It is more special because it has been a challenge on and off the court. This victory is also yours,” commented Djokovic looking at his team, with whom he worked hard to fight the consequences of a stomach virus
“This week the real opposition came from the virus. I had to face it with my team. I was focused twenty-four hours between one match and the next to try to recover and be ready to play. It was not it’s incredible that I managed to do it in three three-set matches, three hours each,” acknowledged ‘Nole’.
He was asked about the recipe he would give to deal with a virus of this type, which often causes confusion that keeps a person in bed and visiting the bathroom. “These days I spent more time in the bathroom than on the track,” he said after the loss Griekspoor in the eighth.
To the question of a journalist asking for advice for his wife, Djokovic He further elaborated the process. “I’m not a doctor, I can’t give medical advice. I guess it’s different for everyone. I think hydration is key, but I can’t speak for others,” said the Serbian.
He dared to go further based on his personal experience. “I haven’t been able to eat much these days. I would probably eat only once a day, but not just anything. I drink liquids because anything else, you know, goes in my mouth and comes out very quickly,” he said.
He commented that he felt bad, “dizzy, dehydrated all the time. You are weak. But for a professional athlete, once you are on the court of course. Either you let the circumstances and what you feel dominate you or you try to control them itself. There is no term medium, either you withdraw or you put in adrenaline energy to have an extra push, more energy,” Djokovic analyzed.
He concluded that “it probably took less for me than for your wife. It was three or four days of a great fight. Today (for the final) was the first day that I really felt that the virus was I’m behind. I’m sorry but I can’t “give medications or treatments. I guess there is no cure,” he said smiling and holding the trophy in his hands.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
