Feliciano Lopez is experiencing life after tennis having retired just a few weeks earlier. In his first interview following that, the Spaniard discussed his post-retirement life, career and a bit about Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and his good friend Rafael Nadal.
Among other things Lopez discussed the different ways in which each member of the Big Three, or rather Big Four including Andy Murray as Feli pointed out, approaches the game. One particular question about Djokovic seemingly put off the Spaniard or at least his answer would suggest so.
Does Novak Djokovic play mind games?
Following a discussion about Roger Federer’s mentality and tennis, the conversation turned towards Novak Djokovic. Asked whether the Serbian has a tendency to invoke mind games with his opponents not just during matches but also through press-conferences, Lopez firmly laid down his opinion.
Lopez does not believe that mind games play an influential part in the outcome of tennis matches. That, he iterated, comes down purely to the tennis and mentality of the players in concern. He even hinted at this narrative bein propagated by the media rather than it being a reality.
“You would have to ask Novak. In the end, no matter how much that feeds many headlines, or that the press is aware of many things that can cause people to talk, I believe more in what happens on the court both tennis-wise and mentally. I don’t believe so much in those mind games at these levels.”
Djokovic trying to get into the minds of his opponents is a fairly common narrative. Be it his sometimes befuddling answers in press conferences or his bathroom breaks during matches or his injuries, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has had to deal with allegations of mind games at most major events.
Naturally, as Feliciano said, only Djokovic would know the truth behind this. However, it is worth noting that tennis is fundamentally a mind game in itself. One could argue it is physical chess; you have to get into the mind of your opponent, disrupt something in there to get an upper hand. Some do it through words spoken prior to a match while others do it with their shot selection during a match. You can hardly blame Novak Djokovic for it even if he does play mind games.
“Always treated me with great respect”
Lopez and Nadal’s friendship is well documented. So is his admiration for Roger Federer, the only member of the Big Three that he couldn’t beat ever. And while there is no obvious connection he has with Djokovic, it is very apparent from the way Lopez speaks about the Serbian that he has a lot of respect for the man. And as Feliciano says in the same interview, Djokovic has been nothing but respectful towards him too.
Tackling a question about the love-hate relationship Nole has with crowds, and specifically how the crowd in London applauded him for some brilliance while booing him for certain slights, Feliciano maintained that the Wimbledon finalist has always treated him right.
“It is a lot what Djokovic has contributed to tennis. I can tell you that he has always treated me with great respect.”
