Anthony Farris
Videos by OutKick
If Simone Biles is looking for an ally amongst sports superstars, she’ll have to find someone other than tennis legend Novak Djokovic. The sports’ top-ranked player is accustomed to the pressure surrounding athletes who compete at the highest level. But rather than run from it, Djokovic welcomes the challenge, referring to pressure as “privilege”.
After Biles withdrew from the remaining individual all-around competition at the Olympics, mental health and pressure became a hot topic for other athletes involved with the Tokyo Games. One such competitor, Djokovic, embraces the pressure:
“Pressure is a privilege, my friend,” said Djokovic, per Yahoo Sports .“Without pressure there is no professional sport. If you are aiming to be at the top of the game you better start learning how to deal with pressure and how to cope with those moments — on the court but also off the court.”
Djokovic’s no stranger to pressure, but he’s not letting it stop him: “All that buzz and all that noise is the thing that, I can’t say I don’t see it or I don’t hear it, of course it’s there, but I’ve learned, I’ve developed the mechanism how to deal with it in such a way that it will not impose destruction to me,” Djokovic said via Yahoo Sports. It will not wear me down.”
Let’s go Tokyo!! #Idemooo #TeamSerbia #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/zXtyrocaBH
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) July 24, 2021
Djokovic is slated to face Kei Nishikori in a men’s Olympic Quarterfinal on Thursday. With the chance to play for a gold medal on the line, it’s unlikely Djokovic will feel the pressure.
I guess that explains why he’s seen as an asshole in the PGA and why he’ll never be as respected as Nadel and Federer … But hey, at least MAGA and the Very Fine People who hate America enough to root against Americans to cap for someone from the Czechs. Gotta love it #GetUrDoneVeryFinePeople
Mason, I had a friend said he saw you wearing your mask while driving inside your car.
If you would turn off NPR, you would understand you can’t catch COVID through your Toyota Prius’ air conditioning
I had a friend tell me you were named in the 850 Million Dollar settlement with the Boy Scouts and your last name is actually SANDUSKY. I also heard you were in Charlottesville carrying a Tiki Torch and was at the Capitol on January 6 with a Camp Auschwitz Hoodie. Is any of that true and if so, when you you be a special guest on Outkick or Tucker Carlson. I’ll wait … BTW…Who and what is Mason ? I’ll wait on that too… Holla at your boy Bubba #GetUrDoneForVeryFinePeople
The PGA? You have a tight grasp on facts and reality. Just like thinking Djokovic is a MAGA supporter.
Serbian’s dig the red hat.
Hey, you can get off your knees.
PGA……you remind me of the Principal in Ferris Beuller’s Day Off with your sports knowledge.
The media hates Djokivic. They’re a bunch of wusses, so go figure. I love him. After this comment I love him even more.
Biles realized she wasn’t going to win and flat out quit. Period. At least she admitted it unlike Osaka who is just folding under the pressure.
Tennis is an individual sport. Doesn’t matter if he’s an asshole. And he is not wrong anyway.
Hi Mason, burn down any storefronts today?
Did you create any kiddie porn and been a guest of Jerry Sandusky? I’ll wait… say hi to Tim Mcvey for me.
You can quit now, it’s all the rage.
Let’s hope you don’t quit the great retorts. That was good.
I guess that explains why you should think better, write better, and build yourself back better.
Man this site has really gotten ugly and way too serious and personal sorry to see
Djokovic is right. Excelling in any field brings pressure, first from within. Winners *want* to excel, to be perfect, to never lose regardless of their profession. Losing sucks; winners hate to lose and will work harder after they lose. Above all, winners do not quit.
It’s sad to see quitting being elevated to something noble. Losing can be noble if done with grace. But dropping out when adversity hits, that’s quitting, and quitters are not heroes. I feel bad for Ms. Biles on a personal level, but I refuse to call her some sort of hero. Like Roberto Duran, she quit. That’s on her and will be for the rest of her life. No mas!
Bingo. He’s 100% right.