Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic (Photo : Getty Images)
World No.1 Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Roger Federer, two of the best tennis players in the Open Era, has some useful tips to share to young players of the sport.
Federer and Djokovic shared some advice to young players, who are aspiring to be as successful as the Swiss Maestro and the Serb in playing tennis.
Federer, who has been a professional tennis player for more than 15 years, advised about constantly learning and improving every week, which he admitted to what he has been feeling whenever he competes at tournaments.
"I guess learn every week, I feel like I was improving every week," Federer said, reports Tennis World USA.
"That's something interesting, you can pick up the other things players do, how to be organized, how to travel, how to handle it in the wind. It's good if you can learn these things at the beginning very quickly."
Even at 34 years old, the Swiss Maestro is still refining his skills to adapt to tennis' evolving game. Prior to Federer's first match back from a knee surgery, his coach Severin Luthi revealed how Federer is constantly improving his game and maintaining the high level of play that earned him 17 Grand Slam wins.
It was evident when he played his first two matches at the ATP 1000 Monte Carlo Masters before failing to get past Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinal round. But it was still a solid outing for Federer, considering the setback that forced him to be sidelined for more than two months.
As for Djokovic, who has been a pro since 2003, he wants young players to believe in one's self and work hard to achieve greatness, which he described as feats that usually been lacking in most youngsters.
"Passion, believing in yourself, in your abilities," Djokovic said.
"That's something when you're young most people are lacking and obviously everything to come right way and experience the success recently which is in most cases not possible as you have to work, to have discipline, dedication, devotion and passion for the sport you wake up every day, and know what your big picture is and what you are aiming for."
The Serb's tips may sound cliché, but they have been the testament of his impressive form that saw him dominate the tennis scene in the past two seasons.
Before his stunning loss at the Monte Carlo Masters against Jiri Veseley, which was Djokovic's worst since losing against Xavier Malisse in June 2010, the Belgrade native held a remarkable winning record of 28 wins and only a single loss. His streak saw him won a sixth Australian Open title and successfully defended his thrones in Indian Wells and Miami Open.
Djokovic's dedication to remain atop other players has singled him out from the rest of the Big Four in terms of points and titles this season, and his outstanding campaign could give him another historic feat by being tennis' first $100 million man.
But trophies and rankings are not too much of a motivation for the 28-year-old Serb, who has been always generating his energy from his passion to the sport.
"I can't speak for others but I extract my energy from my passion for the sport and life in general. That helps me stay humble and grounded. I never prioritise trophies as my motivation. You need something else to drive you, not just achievement," Djokovic said, reports The Times of India.
Federer and Djokovic, who probably have one of the most decorated rivalries in tennis, have all the things to share about tennis. But ultimately, it is still best to learn from own experiences, although learning from the greats is not a bad thing either.
