When you’re the best, you want to keep being the best. The former ATP world No.2, Tommy Haas, discussed many things in his interview with Tennis Magazine. However, what stood out the most was his remark on the current world No.1 Novak Djokovic. Tommy applauded him for a very peculiar quality.

Haas made it to the director’s chair for the Indian Wells Masters in 2016. Back then, Haas was still active as a player. The German has played against Djokovic nine times on the court. It’s safe to say he knows the champ enough to make a statement like this.

Novak Djokovic and his hunger to win

Haas, in the interview, highlighted a common issue among all rising tennis players. He mentioned that it’s not easy in tennis to make your mark. The sport is full of tough contenders in every nook and corner. He said how it’s getting even more complicated now since the top players choose to stay longer in the game, unlike yesteryear legends like Becker and Sampras.

He said in an interview to Puntodebreak: “Pete Sampras and Boris Becker retired at 30, but Djokovic at 36 is hungry like a teenager, that’s his mentality. When he tells stories about how he grew up during the war and dreamed of giving his family a better life… you can’t learn that, you either have it or you don’t.”

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Tommy compared Pete Sampras and Boris Becker with Novak as all of them have held the tag of world No.1. Haas made a valid point about the old timers retiring as soon as they hit 30. However, Djokovic is still in the game and pointed out how his hunger to succeed is that of a teenager’s.

In his opinion, no one can learn to have Djokovic’s mentality as it comes from within. Haas goes on to acknowledge how Djokovic remained strong during the tough childhood that he had to endure. His only dream was to provide the best for his family.

Novak Djokovic’s “Serve to Win”

Tommy cleverly mentioned what fueled Djokovic’s desire to achieve success. In his autobiography, ‘Serve to Win,’ Djokovic wrote a very personal piece. He kept himself motivated to grab and hold the top place in world tennis. All because of what he went through as a child. He wrote: “At 11, I was the big brother. I’d been holding myself responsible for their safety ever since NATO forces started bombing my hometown of Belgrade.”

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The Serb detailed his childhood being consumed by the war. His hometown, Belgrade, was constantly bombed because of the Kosovo Conflict. Even though he was just 11 then, he had to assume the responsibility of keeping his siblings safe. Being the oldest, he didn’t have a choice.

As of now, Djokovic has conquered the sport and doesn’t plan on letting it go. His past transitioned him to be the competitive man he is today. Tommy knew exactly what he was talking about and wasn’t wrong.

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