Novak Djokovic a Wimbledon contender heading into Manic Monday
A year after his dominance began to unravel the former world No 1 is in the mood to make amends
Sunday 9 July 2017 18:51, UK
It may have seemed like a strange question but the answer gave an indication that suggests Novak Djokovic has his focus back and is a very real threat as Wimbledon enters the second week.
After a 6-4 6-1 7-6 victory over the dangerous Ernests Gulbis, Djokovic, already a three-time Wimbledon champion was in reflective mood in his press conference.
Amid the myriad of questions about passion, balance and focus there was a question about reading. Philosophy perhaps?
"Right now I'm reading a book about how to be the best parent I can be.
"I'm learning, trying to get firsthand experiences from the parents, my own parents, whoever has a child. But also to read I think is nice. As I said, try to be the best father I can be, the best husband I can be."
Being the best he can be - twelve Grand Slam singles titles are testament to that.
To have even got close to Roger Federer (18) and Rafael Nadal (15) has required the sort of approach that has involved improvements to all aspects of his life on and off the court.
Federer, Nadal as well as Andy Murray join Djokovic in the second week with their eyes on the prize but until just over a week ago the Serb would maybe have sat fourth in ranking the chances of tennis' so called 'Big Four'.
He accepted a wild card into Eastbourne and four victories later walked away with the title and an altogether more upbeat feel to his game. Former coach Boris Becker in the commentary box said "the passion is back" as Djokovic let out a roar on Centre Court as he vanquished Gulbis.
"He felt it firsthand for a couple of years, we've been through ups and downs, both of us," Djokovic told the media when asked about Becker's comments.
"Boris knows me very well, so he's right when he says that the passion is back. I've been feeling better on the court, you know, as I said in the last couple of months.
"Especially on the grass court this season so far, every match that I've played, I felt very comfortable. Obviously when you're playing well, then you're feeling well, then you're even more, I guess, motivated, passionate to see how far it can take you."
The questions about passion, balance and focus, they have every right to asked. They are words the 30-year-old has used again and again as he attempts to return to to the form that he was in when arrived at Wimbledon 12 months ago.
Djokovic entered this year's Wimbledon without a Grand Slam to his name since Roland Garros last year.
Such a statistic would not be a concern to many but he had become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time. The wheels came off though as a third round defeat to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon followed and with it a spiral that has seen him move down to fourth in the world rankings without claiming another slam.
Coaching changes, or 'shock therapy' as he called it has brought in Andre Agassi and more recently Mario Ancic to the Djokovic stable.
It's an unlikely pairing. One a fabled showman hailing from Las Vegas, the other a former top 10 player who quit the game to focus on the world of finance with the backing of a law degree earned while playing on the Tour.
Quite how long they remain part of the team remains the subject of conversation but Djokovic is clearly enjoying having them around - smiling as her referred to Ancic and his role in New York as 'the Wolf of Wall Street'.
"It was a friendly talk between Mario and I. First of all, I spoke to Andre and he absolutely agreed with Mario being that second person who might potentially be spending a little bit more time with me on the road.
"Ever since Mario ended his career, he went a different direction, went into the financial world. He's very successful. He's very smart.
"He was one of the very few players and athletes that have been successful and during their active career studied, as well, studied law, which is not an easy thing to study.
"I always had that admiration, respect for him, but mostly that friendship that we carried on even after his career ended. We were always in touch, seeing each other while I was in New York."
"We don't have anything formal, we don't have any contracts, we don't have any long-term agreements," Djokovic said on Saturday.
"We had a friendly talk. He was a bit surprised but he was already scheduled to be in London. I asked him if he would like to spend time with Andre and I during Wimbledon, while you're there, if you have time.
"He was planning to be a part, which he will I think, of the legends tournament doubles - so he accepted. That's all we have for the moment.
"There is no really long-term agreements or planning, what's going to happen. He's got his commitments with his companies, we'll see how the schedule is going to look like after Wimbledon. We all agree we're going to talk about that when Wimbledon is done."
Djokovic faces world no 51 Adrian Mannarino on Manic Monday, the fabled term for the stacked second Monday of the tournament.
Djokovic shrugged his shoulders as he didn't know the meaning of the word manic, apt really as holding court in the main Wimbledon press room he looked the picture of controlled focus.
More of the same could bring a fourth Wimbledon crown as well as a 13th major on Sunday.
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