Novak Djokovic's desire for the game has not changed, according to Pepe Imaz, the Spanish academy owner and coach who has been working with Djokovic on an informal basis.
The former ATP player runs a tennis academy for underprivileged youth in Spain called "Amor y Paz", or "Peace and Love" and also works with some tour players.
"I started in professional tennis before any relationship with Djokovic," Imaz said in an interview with Marca, a Spanish sporting newspaper.
"With him, I started four years ago a more professional relationship."
According to Imaz, what has changed is the attention on their collaboration.
"This work, to call it that, we have been doing for four years. The evolution, that he has been having, is that this desire and intention to win is the same. Nothing has changed now. What happened is that this type of work became known with Boris Becker leaving. A very important person, it is logical it draws attention. And so [people] jumped to the concept of hugs, love, and Pepe Imaz.
"It's the same as before. He is having a moment he does not like, he would like to won more matches. And he's working to do it."
The academy owner, who works with Djokovic's younger brother, Marko, described his approach, which involves encouraging players to take a positive attitude rather than criticizing themselves.
"I am obtaining and learning from Novak's experiences, and share with him what has helped and helps me," he said.
"Within a context as competitive as tennis, you can err in thinking, being an individual sport and especially at a high competition level, that love cannot fit.
"But you have to understand that for a professional athlete, love is not... letting the other player win. Love is going on court and to try to do everything... but that can be done with non-love and respect towards yourself, or love and respect towards yourself."
Both Marko and Imaz are in Madrid this week, where Djokovic is playing.
Djokovic, who recently stopped working with his team, is looking for a new coach.
