Better physical shape was a decisive factor against Filip

Another Serbian tennis player is the second round of the Srpska Open. Dusan Lajovic defeated his good friend Filip Krajinovic with 2:1 in sets (6:2, 4:6, 6:4) after the match was suspended the day before. Lajovic analysed the match in detail, but also discussed weather conditions, changes in his training routine, Novak and other topics.

“To tell you the truth, I don’t like these conditions either. I prefer the sun and the changes of rhythm. The fact that I’m in a better physical shape was a decisive factor today. Filip has been having some troubles with his game and did not play enough tennis to be able to play his game. I hope he gets back on the track. We are all aware of his qualities. Mental toughness is also very important, and when you’re going through a tough time, you have to erase those thoughts from your head and return to the tennis court, work hard, play a Challenger or two, play as many matches as possible. I was more calm during the match, I didn’t feel pressure at 5:4 because that side of the tennis court at a greater distance from locker rooms was slippery. I didn’t feel stable. When we switched sides, I could see I could use my patterns. I felt I could play my game, that I found my rhythm”, Dusan Lajovic revealed.

The fact that the match was interrupted did not sit well with Lajovic but he underlines that he’s got used to that at the tournaments.

“To tell you the truth, the worst thing in the world is to play against someone you know well, against your good friend. However, it is part of the deal and I just wanted to move forward”.

Lajovic then talked about another Serbian tennis hopeful, i.e. Hamad Medjedovic.

“Maybe this tournament will be the real Srpska Open until the very end. It’s the draw we have when we have many Serbian players at the tournament. I haven’t played against Medjedovic and Grégoire Barrère but plan to watch the match. Anyhow, it would be better for the tournament if Hamad won. I would love to have as many as possible local players at the final stages of the tournament.

Lajovic talked in Australia how he still had a lot of things to improve in his game and he commented on mental exercises that have helped him a lot.

“That was the first time I discussed that topic. It has had direct impact in my case. I don’t know if others can notice or not, but I’ve heard some friendly comments and people have told me that I look different on the tennis court. I think that is a big step for me. The most important things are the things you admit to yourself because that’s when you embark on the path to find the right solution for the problem. I wish to dedicate more time to these topics in the future, to talk more publicly, because it’s a taboo topic in our country. I’m learning to look at the problems as ways to improve myself. However, that’s easier said than done when you are over 30 and it’s more difficult to change as you grow older. However, if we take one step at a time, I think is a good attempt to get better every day. You cannot always achieve everything you want but I did learn that it’s OK not to be always OK. In the past I used to suppress and neglect that part of myself but I look at it differently now. That’s life and not everything can always be beautiful. On the other hand, fighting yourself is counter-productive. It’s one of the biggest changes in my personality and I’m still in therapy,” Lajovic was sincere.