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Djokovic: Progressing but Not Satisfied

The 12-time major champion admits that he's not satisfied and still searching for pead Djokovic.

After his 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-4 win over Jaume Munar, Novak Djokovic opened up to reporters about his process and admitted that he’s still not satisfied with his game ahead of a third-round matchup with Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut.

More #RG18: Halep Holds Serve | Serena's Catsuit Draws Praise | American Update

It’s not surprising, given that Djokovic has only begun to hit his stride after racking up six wins in his last seven contests since the start of his uptick in form at Rome.

“I went through my ups and downs,” he said. “I’m not really satisfied with the performance but I just played enough in the right moments to win the match—hopefully the level will increase and will get better in the next match.”

When asked by French reporter Carole Bouchard, Djokovic elaborated further. He admitted that he has been surprised to find that he needs more matches to build his confidence, something he didn’t expect as he began his comeback.

“It’s several things,” he said. “Obviously I’ve mentioned several times before that the best practice you can have is a match. I haven’t had too many matches and I really never thought that I’m going to be challenged in that way mentally, that I need matches in order to get confidence, but obviously I’m learning something new.”

The next step for Djokovic is to eliminate the mental ebbs and flows that still creep into his game at times, and he says it’s still a work in progress, but getting better as he has racked up wins of late.

“That’s the case,” he said. “At times I do lose maybe comfort level on the court and confidence and that’s something that I’m still building obviously. The more matches I play the better it is. The more I win the better it is—hopefully that can keep going.”

Djokovic, now a husband and father of two sons, also admitted that he’s embracing the challenge and wholeheartedly throwing himself into maintain a healthy balance between work and family. It’s something we don’t hear about too often from professional tennis players, but Djokovic has never been the typical athlete.

He wants to get back to the top of tennis but he also wants to do it on his own terms.

“I’m not and I don’t want to be the same person and player that I was two, three, four years ago,” Djokovic said. “It’s just different. I have a different life. I’m a father of two children, and there are a lot of different things that I prioritize in life and it’s not only about tennis, which has been the case before. You have to adjust to it, embrace it, and try to find the best possible solutions to balance everything and thrive in every aspect of your life.”

Watch: Donaldson’s Underhand Serve Brings Back Memories of Chang

The American tradition of the underhand serve was renewed today at Roland Garros. Remember the good old days when Roland Garros champions used the underhand serve to great effect? Well, if you remember Michael Chang’s underhand serve against Ivan Lendl at Roland Garros in 1989, you know what we’re talking about. The shot is forever marked in the annals of tennis history as one of the most surprising and crazy shots that the Grand Slam stage has ever seen.

More #RG18: Halep Holds Serve | Serena's Catsuit Draws Praise | Day 4 Schedule | American Update

Well today, Jared Donaldson honored that fine American tradition with his own contribution against Grigor Dimitrov—and he won the point!

Check out this beauty late in the fifth set, as Donaldson’s cramps are already sinking in.

Underhanded⁉️@JaredD takes the lead 7-6 in the 5th.

Stream LIVE now on TC and TC Plus→ https://t.co/tPoe44C26q #RG18 #MyTennisLife pic.twitter.com/gPfyzRwfAt

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 30, 2018

Donaldson took the game but Dimitrov won the match, 10-8, in the fifth. If you’re scoring at home, Chang got the 46 46 63 63 63 victory over Lendl and won the French Open as a 17-year-old. Yeah, we think he’s still got it over Donaldson in the important underhand serve category.

Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby. Look at the look on the guy's face when the first cut to fans after this Chang underhand beauty. https://t.co/2WDbygOsml

— Chris Oddo (@TheFanChild) May 30, 2018

Kvitova Reacts To Arrest Of Stabbing Suspect

Petra Kvitova seeks justice in 2016 stabbing.
Petra Kvitova can't clench her fist, but won't stop fighting.

Kvitova crushed Lara Arruabarrena, 6-0, 6-4, stretching her winning streak to 13 matches powering into the Roland Garros third round.

Watch: Halep, Svitolina Advance in Paris

Kvitova, who warmed up for Paris sweeping successive clay-court titles in Prague and Madrid, raised her record to a WTA-best 32-6. The 28-year-old Czech will meet the dangerous Anett Kontaveit for a place in the round of 16.

The Czech media reports police arrested a suspect in the December, 2016 stabbing attack of Kvitova in her home in Prostějov. Kvitova suffered severe stab wounds to her left hand fighting off the attacker. Her injuries required a three-hour plus surgery in December, 2016 to repair ligament and tendon damage.

The 2012 French Open semifinalist told Tennis Channel's Jon Wertheim she's pleased police have made an arrest, but cautioned there's still "a long way to finish the story."

"Definitely, it's great news," Kvitova told Tennis Channel. "It's great news. (There's a) long way to finish the story so I'm still down to earth and not really jumping high. I will be happiest when the story will end. I'm happy how I handled it and how I'm still handling it."

Kvitova's inspired comeback began in Paris last May. Though she only practiced a few weeks before the 2017 French Open and lacked full feeling in two fingers, Kvitova moved well, struck with ambition and made it to the second round.

Playing just her second tournament after the attack, Kvitova claimed her 20th career WTA title with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Australian Ashleigh Barty in the Birmingham final last June.

“You an inspiration and a champion,” Barty said to Kvitova during the Birmingham trophy ceremony. “We love you and we missed you and we’re glad to have you back on court.”

Conceding her racquet hand will never regain full strength, Kvitova is focused on possibilities rather than limitations.

“I really didn’t know how the hand would react to playing tennis and even if I could hold the racket,” Kvitova told Reuters. “I was just working hard, being patient and being positive about it. I really didn’t know how everything would turn out.

“The hand will never be 100 per cent again. The last part of the fingers, I can’t move them in… I can’t do a fist pump but, the last 12 months have been great and I am not complaining at all.”

Photo credit: @Petra_Kvitova