Novak Djokovic’s Competitive Mentality Seen In American Rising Star, Says Former Player

The way Novak Djokovic has dominated the court throughout the years serves as a benchmark for several young players to aim for success in the professional tour. One of these includes rising star Brandon Nakashima who has recently been compared to Djokovic by former professional Dusan Vemic.

The success that the world number one Novak Djokovic has achieved is often included in the greatest of all-time debate. Currently, as the world’s top player, Djokovic has constantly steamrolled through his opponents. Per Tennis World USA, Vemic has high hopes for Nakashima who has the potential for big things in his career.

"I would say that his mental strength is his greatest weapon, mentally it is almost at Novak's level, and that intrigued me from the beginning,” Vemic said.

The 18-year-old has a lot to learn but he has already shown signs of maturity on the court.

“We know this is the hardest to train. If you have that talent, then everything else is much easier,” Vemic added.

Winning in tennis shouldn’t solely be relied on physical strengths and skill alone. Possessing sharp mental stamina gives players an edge over their opponents. This has been one of the things that have helped Djokovic step up and win in crucial matches throughout his storied career.

“At the same time, he is very diligent and can be on the field as long as necessary, which is another plus. That mental strength will help him to play big when needed," Vemic concluded.

Being compared to someone like Djokovic is a big step towards Nakashima’s bright future. With the number of championships the Serbian star has won as a professional, the added pressure can be tough for a young American like Nakashima. It will be interesting to see how he takes this comparison and if it will be enough to propel him into the bigger stage moving forward.

It will be crucial to see how Nakashima improves in the coming years. At the same time, while he’s training to be a better overall player, it will also be intriguing to check how many more Grand Slams Djokovic can add to his already impressive 17 majors.