Novak Djokovic: I'm not pleased with my performance versus Denis Kudla

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic struggled a bit during his third round clash at Wimbledon but still managed to escape with a straight-set win. Djokovic, seeded at No. 1, handed a 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7) loss to Denis Kudla to reach the round-of-16.

"I just had a journey that is probably different from most of the other players on the tour, but I am grateful because that made me the man and the player that I am. My upbringing greatly influnced who I am today," Djokovic said after his win over Kudla, per Sasa Ozmo.

Djokovic admitted he wasn't happy with the way he performed. "We were pretty even up until the finish of the first set. I am not too pleased with the way I performed, especially with the serve. I had to slow the pace down and mix it up because he has a flat ball," Djokovic said.

Speaking of the moment with the crowd, Djokovic said: "Those things happen in the heat of the battle, you need to release the pressure."

Djokovic aims gold at the Tokyo Olympics

"I am very motivated to play in the Olympics and to fight for a medal.

Representing my country is the highest honour for me," Djokovic underlined. Djokovic also said that failure was never an option for him. "Giving up is never a question. You're always trying to give your maximum out there. Especially when you're playing one of the biggest tennis tournaments out there.

For me, the biggest. I have to give credit for Denis for playing really well. He's a great guy," Djokovic said, per George Bellshaw. Failure was never an option for me or anyone in my family. We needed to find the basic needs to survive.

That's strengthened my character. I spent a lot of time in the mountains with the wolves, this is my wolf energy. I'm not kidding, actually