‘Biggest battle always is within’ – Novak Djokovic reveals his go-to techniques for gaining mental strength

There are many attributes that help a sportsperson achieve profound success in his/her career. Just as talent, skill, determination and fitness are important, mentality also plays a key role in what sets a player apart. Challenging situations may arise during the competition and to overcome the pressure, one needs mental strength.

This is something that not every athlete can easily master. Tennis legend Novak Djokovic is a great example of a player who possesses all the above qualities, including mental strength. The 37-year-old, who has won a record 24 Grand Slam titles and a historic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is considered one of the world's greatest sportspersons.

As reported by The Indian Express, Djokovic, in an interview with Vala Afshar, revealed how he trains his mind for discipline, focus and success. The Serbian said his mental strength was not just a gift he was blessed with, but a fair amount of hard work.

Emphasizing the importance of controlling the mind, Djokovic said his biggest battle has always been within himself. “I might appear locked in, but trust me, there’s a storm inside. The biggest battle always is within,” he said.

Djokovic’s two key techniques for gaining mental strength

The seven-time Wimbledon champion revealed that one of his key techniques for gaining mental strength is conscious breathing. “Conscious breathing is a big part, especially in the moments when you’re under tension.”

One of five career Golden Slam winners, Djokovic said his ability to quickly move on from emotions on the court has helped him immensely.  

“I may burst, I scream on the court, whatever happens. And then I’m able to bounce back and reset. The difference, I guess, between the guys who are able to be the biggest champions and the ones that are struggling to get to the highest level, is the ability to not stay in those emotions for too long. So for me, it’s really relatively short. As soon as I experience it, I acknowledge it,” the Serbian great concluded.