Tennis not my top priority

[lacatch]

I just saw on Tennis.com an interview excerpt in which Djokovic states that after the birth of his child, tennis will no longer be his first priority. At the same time, he hopes to gain energy and motivation from having a kid. I get what he's saying, and appreciate his candor, but strictly speaking as a tennis fan find his statement a bit alarming.

 

[Front242]

It's not best time in his career to have a kid but then again it actually brought about a resurgence in Fed's game after he was beginning his decline so it may not be all bad news.

 

[Murat Baslamisli]

A child can bring some extra pressure because now you are playing not just for yourself but your family's future...but it can motivate you as well for the same reasons. I guess we will have to wait and see which category Nole will fall into.

 

[Moxie]

Nole is a really emotion guy, and clearly he's thrilled about becoming a dad, which is where this statement could be coming from. Priorities do shift when one becomes a parent, but it could also focus his commitment to meeting his goals more keenly and immediately. It remains to be seen how he reacts to it parenthood, but he does have a good example in Roger as to how having a mobile family and finding the balance is possible.

 

[herios]

This statement is what I was afraid of, that Nole will be losing his interest to compete a lot earlier than the fans are expecting it. Not quite like Borg (he has already passed that stage), but definitely will hang up his racquet suddenly and a lot before many of his peers.
There were rumours before, that he could take on an actor career, then politician, now this new stage.
The posters ahead of me on this thread all are thinking that he could follow the Roger model, but you know, that will not work for everyone in a similar fashion.
I just cannot imagine Nole dragging his family around the world like other do.
I hope I am wrong, but I would not be surprised if he stops competing before he will turn 30.

 

[Riotbeard]

I just saw on Tennis.com an interview excerpt in which Djokovic states that after the birth of his child, tennis will no longer be his first priority. At the same time, he hopes to gain energy and motivation from having a kid. I get what he's saying, and appreciate his candor, but strictly speaking as a tennis fan find his statement a bit alarming.

I don't really find this troubling at all. I would be less of a fan, if he said tennis is still no. 1 in my life. My guess is it's a literal statement that anyone could have guessed, doesn't mean tennis doesn't matter.

It could be that tennis matters the same to him, but nothing has ever mattered as much as his future child.

 

[brokenshoelace]

I think you're putting too much thought into this. It's just a statement he made to highlight how much he values being a future father. I doubt he's going to take tennis any less seriously. He's not the first player to become a father.

 

[nehmeth]

I think you're putting too much thought into this. It's just a statement he made to highlight how much he values being a future father. I doubt he's going to take tennis any less seriously. He's not the first player to become a father.

Co-signed. He's making a statement that his child/family will be his first priority. Would to God more fathers were like that.

 

[Kieran]

I'd hate him if he said otherwise. Of course the baby is going to be far more important than hitting a tennis ball. But unfortunately for Rafa, he'll still be able to do that too, so I don't expect Nole to suddenly vanish into thin air and nappies...

 

[Federberg]

A child can bring some extra pressure because now you are playing not just for yourself but your family's future...but it can motivate you as well for the same reasons. I guess we will have to wait and see which category Nole will fall into.

I think Novak's children don't have to worry about their future! The guy has enough money to look after the next generation. I don't see why this would be bad for him unless his woman puts some undue pressure on him. It'll give him more perspective on life, and it could work in his favour - after a bad loss, going home and seeing his kid will make everything else seem trivial. Of course if tennis isn't his deep passion it could be disastrous, but I've never got that impression. All these top guys live and breathe the sport

 

[coban]

I just saw on Tennis.com an interview excerpt in which Djokovic states that after the birth of his child, tennis will no longer be his first priority. At the same time, he hopes to gain energy and motivation from having a kid. I get what he's saying, and appreciate his candor, but strictly speaking as a tennis fan find his statement a bit alarming.

I think these statements are in conflict with eachother. Sounds like he is making excuses already.

What would he be motivated for? Regaining world #1 - or Grand slam titles? But still his priority will be his kids? I dont get what he is saying to be honest..

 

[Tennis Miller]

After changing a few heinous diapers, he'll decide the best way to make the kid a priority is to win championships for the little one...

Cheers
TM

 

[Denis]

After changing a few heinous diapers, he'll decide the best way to make the kid a priority is to win championships for the little one...

Cheers
TM

Exactly. I posted before that this will result in more motivation to win and could result in tipping the balance at RG to win the event this year. And he does not need to change dipers just yet. Djokovic is the kind of guy that finds motivation out of playing for othersavis Cup 2010 resulted in Djokovic 2.0 in 2011, he took his Wimbledon trophy to his old coach after winning it etc.

I expect that this will bring out the absolute best in Novak.

 

[isabelle]

Perfectly normal words from Nole, a child is much more important than a career. I guess he'll be a very good daddy, I'm happy for him and Jelena

 

[Busted]

I just saw on Tennis.com an interview excerpt in which Djokovic states that after the birth of his child, tennis will no longer be his first priority. At the same time, he hopes to gain energy and motivation from having a kid. I get what he's saying, and appreciate his candor, but strictly speaking as a tennis fan find his statement a bit alarming.

I think all Nole means is the same thing every parent means - it's not about YOU anymore. It's about your kid and putting your family's needs first. I remember last year when Roger was struggling with the back injury somoene had the audacity to ask him if having kids had negatively impacted his career, especially since his entire family travels with him and kids get sick and he's been up nights with the twins and then had to go play matches. Roger said something like, "Then so be it." I think that's all Nole means - his tennis will be impacted and he's not naive about that. He made the choice that this was the right time for fatherhood and he's prepared for it to affect his career and gladly accepts the changes and challenges. Good for him. It's an adult attitude coming from a grown man. It's not like he's still living at home with mommy and daddy like some #1 players we could name.

 

[Kieran]

Who? Who still lives at home?

And what's it got to do with you?

And what's wrong with people living with their mother and father, before deciding to wed?

Don't be a modern sniggerer at people who don't live like you want them to.

And I know you'll read this and not have the guts to reply, so two words to you: guess them...

 

[Moxie]

Lifestyle choices are for the players to make, and comparisons of them are a cheap dig.

 

[golds girl]

Who? Who still lives at home?

And what's it got to do with you?

And what's wrong with people living with their mother and father, before deciding to wed?

Don't be a modern sniggerer at people who don't live like you want them to.

And I know you'll read this and not have the guts to reply, so two words to you: guess them...

I'd also like to add that in many cultures ( I grew up in one), you live with your parents till you get married, so we're not going to start crapping on those here.