Should Simone Biles listen to Novak Djokovic?

Mental health has been center stage throughout these Olympics. Simone Biles, American gymnast extraordinaire, pulled out of the Games after finding it hard to replicate her form. At times like these there is never any shortage of advice. Enter Novak Djokovic, who helpfully observed that it is

incumbent on competitors to master the competitive environment physically and mentally. When asked about Biles raising the issue of mental health in sport and the pressure he is currently facing as he attempts to win the Golden Slam, Djokovic replied: ‘Pressure is a privilege, my friend. Without pressure there is no professional sport.

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‘If you are aiming to be at the top of the game you better start learning how to deal with pressure and how to cope with those moments – on the court but also off the court.

Hours later, having lost the bronze medal playoff and smashed two rackets in anger, he pulled out of the mixed doubles, leaving his partner without the opportunity to win a bronze medal. A few would agree that, It’s the taking part that matters, Biles would be well-advised to be careful on what she listens to on her mental health journey.

Djokovic’s show of emotion was especially awkward given his comments about performing under pressure earlier in the week. With fellow Olympic superstars such as Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka bringing the mental health of athletes to the forefront in Tokyo, Novak could have offered a better advice rather than taking a dig at them.

Not everyone handles the heat of elite competition easily.

In Djokovic’s own words, pressure is a privilege. If you aim to be at the top of the game, you better start learning how to deal with pressure. At the Olympics, Djokovic showed that despite his words, he still has plenty of work to do in that regard.