Novak Djokovic revealed that he draws motivation from internal "trash talk" as he marked his return to form with a convincing victory over 30th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the Australian Open on Friday.
In his 100th match at the tournament, the 10-time champion displayed dominance, securing a 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) win in the third round.
Despite facing health issues in Melbourne and battling a lingering virus, the Serbian world number one showcased resilience. Djokovic, who had dropped sets in his initial matches, expressed occasional frustration during the match, exchanging gestures with his coaching team.
Reflecting on his mental approach, Djokovic admitted, "It's not always a positive pep talk. There's a lot of trash talk happening inside my head. I'm trying to fight the demons that I have, as anybody else, on the court."
Although the victory seemed comfortable at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic acknowledged the challenges players face in moments of doubt and crisis during matches. Notably, he did not face a single break point in the encounter, reaching a significant milestone of 100 appearances at the Australian Open, trailing only Roger Federer and Serena Williams in this regard.
With his eyes set on a historic 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic broke Etcheverry in the first set and maintained control throughout. Despite his opponent's resilience in the third set, Djokovic sealed the win with an ace in just under two-and-a-half hours.
Looking ahead, Djokovic, who will face French 20th seed Adrian Mannarino in the last 16, admitted he has yet to reach his peak level. Despite the positive signs in his game and physical condition, he acknowledged, "I still haven't been playing at my best."
