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Darko Rajakovic is entering his second season as head coach of the Toronto Raptors. The organization is still in the midst of a rebuilding phase, filled with promising players, and the Serbian coach is focused on imparting valuable lessons to facilitate their development.
In an interview with Mundo Deportivo, Rajakovic shared that he is also drawing inspiration from other sports, aiming to relay those insights to his players by referencing his fellow countryman, tennis star Novak Djokovic.
“The mindset is what sets apart the elite athletes across various sports. At this level, the highest tier, everyone possesses physical skills; what truly distinguishes them is their mentality. Novak Djokovic exemplifies this with his exceptional mental approach, managing the fluctuations of public opinion and maintaining his focus during matches,” Rajakovic stated.
He revealed that he has played some of Djokovic’s interviews for his squad to help them grasp a champion’s mentality.
“I’ve been listening to numerous interviews from him. I even shared a few of them with our team to help them understand what it means to have a champion’s mindset. There’s a wealth of knowledge to absorb from that,” he added.
While he was unable to recall specific quotes, he feels there’s significant wisdom to gain from the Olympic champion, who holds a record 24 men’s singles Grand Slam titles.
“It was centered around mentality—embracing challenges and staying present in the moment. In tennis, matches among the best are often settled by a single possession, a single point. Listening to him, as well as to Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, who are all masters of mental strength, offers endless lessons,” Rajakovic concluded.
Currently, the Toronto Raptors hold a record of 24-46, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference. However, with talents like Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, the future looks promising for the franchise.
