World Number 1 Novak Djokovic has revealed that there was a phase in his career when he considered leaving tennis.

In a podcast with wellness guru, Chervin Jafariyeh, the Serb superstar, revealed that he has faced “huge challenges” in his career. Some of which forced him into self-reflection on whether he wanted to remain a professional tennis player.

Djokovic recalls “sobbing” his eyes out after crushing quarters loss at 2010 French Open

Recalling his quarter-final at the Roland-Garros in 2010, Djokovic said the defeat left him emotionally hollow.

Seeded third at the French Open that year, the Serb beat Evgeny Korolev, Kei Nishikori, Victor Hanescu and Robby Ginepri on the way to setting up a last-eight showdown with Austrian Jurgen Melzer.

Despite battling symptoms of hay fever, the 18-time Grand Slam champion took the opening two sets. However, Melzer made an astonishing fightback to win the next three to send the Serb crashing out of the tournament.

The eventual scoreline at the end of a clash, spanning 4 hours and 15 minutes, read 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4 in the Austrian’s favor.

“I felt like my world was falling apart, my dreams were shattered and that I was not good enough to achieve what I wanted to,” the Serb said, reflecting on his quarter-final loss.

He recalled “sobbing” in the room of his coach and physiotherapist. Djokovic added that he was “really in a bad place”.

Novak Djokovic says he’s grateful that his coach at the time let him free himself of his emotions

Djokovic said that the feeling that gripped him in the immediate aftermath of the soul-crushing loss was that he had “hit a wall and can’t go any further”.

He said his coach and trainers let him “cry” and lighten the baggage of “emotions” that seemed to be weighing him down. He added that he was “grateful for that”. This was because it helped him let go of the negativity that crept into his system. Furthermore, it helped him rekindle his passion for the sport.

Read More: 2-Time Grand Slam Champion Explains Why Novak Djokovic “Needs to be Loved” as Federer and Nadal Are

The Serb, who won a record ninth Australian Open title this year, taking his career tally of Grand Slam trophies to 18, said for him, the best coaches are those who address the “vulnerabilities” of the players they work with and are there for them as “friends”.