Nervous Djokovic rekindles ‘love affair’ with Australian Open

Novak Djokovic likened his relationship with the Australian Open to “a love affair” on Sunday, admitting he still gets nervous walking on court despite his years at the top. The 33-year-old opens his campaign for an unprecedented ninth title at Melbourne Park, and 18th Grand Slam crown, on Monday against France’s Jeremy Chardy, and he is already feeling jittery.

“Every match, every match. Every single match,” he said when asked if he still got nervous despite being in his 17th Australian Open.

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“I just feel like it’s almost impossible to eliminate that kind of pressure, anticipation, the nerves coming into any match really for an athlete.”