French Open results: Novak Djokovic says Rafa Nadal’s retirement has left him with lingering motivation

Novak Djokovic, the one remaining champion of tennis’ iconic big four, says he is struggling with that burden – as the game’s greatest winner admits for the first time the end may be near.

Novak Djokovic celebrates his victory over France's Corentin Moutet at Roland Garros.

Novak Djokovic has huffed, puffed, grimaced, groaned, complained about crowd disrespect and hobbled on an injured foot through to the third round of the French Open before admitting motivation had become his greatest opponent since ‘part of me left with him’ when Rafael Nadal retired.

The 38-year-old, 24-time major champion suffered a toe injury that complicated his otherwise trouble-free 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 (7-1) victory over Frenchman Corentin Moutet. Down a set point at 5-6 in the third, Serbia’s living sporting legend was hissed by the Roland Garros audience before hitting his second serve. “How about some respect?” he said. “No? Tres bien, tres bien. Very good.”

Masterfully, as ever, Djokovic used the antagonism to his advantage, playing impeccable, aggressive tennis to close out the match and silence the dissent. He’s the last man standing of the Big Three that included 22-time major champion Nadal and 20-time champion Roger Federer, and he was asked in his on-court interview why he was soldiering on despite a plummet in performances this year.

“For me, it’s a priority to be dedicated,” Djokovic said. “It’s not easy, on a daily basis. Federer and Nadal were and still are my main rivals and now that Rafa has gone, part of me has left with him. That’s how things are. That’s the reality. That’s how the rivalry was on the court and outside the court. It’s a great 20-year era and the fact I’m still playing, I’m still giving positive things to my sport … it’s a dream to me. What’s my secret? I don’t know, really. I know that when everyone asks me what’s the main key of this success, there’s not one secret.”

What are they?

“It’s a combination of many things I’ve had to develop throughout my whole career. Now for me, it’s really important to find the motivation. What is my motivation? Obviously, to leave my prints on tennis history, but I try to play with beautiful energy. When I’m with my family and my kids, they’re not here today, but they give me a lot of power and energy and strength. That’s my motivation. They’re my motivation.”

Dojovic’s interview went down a treat with the crowd on Court Suzanne-Lenglen. The hissing had became a rapturous ovation. Djokovic was in terrible, career-worst form until eking out victory against a weakened field at Geneva last week.

“It’s very, very special every time you play a Frenchman in France and thank you very, very much for the atmosphere,” he said. “Before the Geneva tournament, I didn’t feel so confident. I think it’s normal after all my career to feel this way, because when you do not win a lot of matches, you are like everyone else – you need to refocus and work hard to get back to your best level. To win in Geneva, I was with my family, I was really satisfied on the court, and off the court, and I came here to Roland Garros with more confidence and more positive energy. It’s only the beginning of the tournament and hopefully I’ll still be here at the end.”