"More than 10 years ago... But I stopped doing that" - Novak Djokovic sheds light on the superstitions he used to follow before important matches

Novak Djokovic recently revealed the superstitions he used to adhere to before his important matches. He admitted that over 10 years ago, he used to follow these superstitions diligently, but has since abandoned them.

Djokovic is currently in London competing at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, where he is aiming to win his eighth grasscourt Major and his 25th Grand Slam title overall.

The Serb defeated qualifier Vit Kopriva, wildcard Jacob Fearnley, Alexei Popyrin, and 15th seed Holger Rune in the first four rounds. He was set to face ninth seed Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals but advanced to the semifinals after the Australian withdrew from the tournament due to a hip injury. He will next take on 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinals.

Before beginning his campaign at the Wimbledon Championships and just after his knee surgery which had forced him to pull out of the 2024 French Open, Novak Djokovic had done a small interview and a photoshoot with Vogue Adria. There he was asked if he had any pre-match rituals or superstitions.

In response, the 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed that over a decade ago, he had a habit of bouncing the ball an even number of times on the deuce side and an odd number on the advantage side. However, he mentioned that he no longer follows this practice.

“More than ten years ago, I used to hit the ball an even number of times on the deuce side, and an odd number on the advantage side. But I stopped doing that,” he said.

Novak Djokovic on his ball-bouncing routine: “If I'm under pressure I might bounce it a bit more, I have a little bit of an issue”

Novak Djokovic

Earlier, Novak Djokovic had talked the ball-bouncing routine he does before serving in a match. He mentioned that he does not have a set number of bounces before serving and it is more of a spontaneous decision.

The Serb admitted that he knows his routine is irritating to others and is sometimes annoying for him too. He stated that when he is under pressure during a match, he bounces the ball a bit more.

“I don't decide how many times I'm going to bounce the ball. I know it's annoying for a lot of people and sometimes it's annoying for me - I wish I could bounce it less and just get into the rhythm but sometimes, especially if it's a tough moment and I'm a little bit tight and under pressure, I might bounce it a bit more,” he said (via Yahoo News).

Novak Djokovic revealed that he does not have a specific number of bounces in mind, but rather waits for the right rhythm before serving.

“But I just kind of wait until the right time to toss the ball and to have the right tempo in the movement from the very first step, the swing. I don't know what else to tell you, there is no particular number,” he added.

The former World No. 1 expressed that bouncing the ball an even or odd number of times is a bit of an "issue" for him.

“Ten-plus years ago on the deuce side, I would always end my bounces with an even number and advantage uneven. It is not the case anymore - I have a little bit of an issue!” Djokovic said.

Meanwhile, at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, the winner of the semifinal match between Novak Djokovic and Lorenzo Musetti will go on to face either Carlos Alcaraz or Daniil Medvedev in the final.