Novak Djokovic is the main favorite at this 12 months’s Australian Open. The Serbian just isn’t shying away from the stress of standing on the doorstep of historical past, both.
If Djokovic claims his tenth title at Melbourne Park, he’ll tie Rafael Nadal for probably the most males’s Grand Slam singles titles in historical past with 22. Is {that a} motivating issue?
“After all, it’s. I imply, that is why I carry on enjoying skilled tennis, competitors tennis, as a result of I wish to be the most effective, I wish to win the most important tournaments on the planet. There is no such thing as a secret about it,” Djokovic stated. “It would not get larger than this. You will have 4 Slams that traditionally have been the most important occasions in our sport. It is also one of many largest explanation why I used to be actually trying ahead to come back again to Australia: due to my file right here. I actually love enjoying in Rod Laver Area, significantly evening periods. I’ve had loads of success that hopefully can proceed this 12 months.”
Djokovic is the fourth seed, however he has been enjoying in addition to anybody on Tour over the previous a number of months. He captured titles in Tel-Aviv and Astana final October earlier than claiming his sixth Nitto ATP Finals crown in Turin.
“I’m in an excellent form. I ended the 12 months in the very best manner, and continued that type in Adelaide. I like the way in which I performed there. I beat some actually good gamers, particularly in the previous couple of matches of the match,” Djokovic stated of successful the ATP 250 initially of the season. “I like my probabilities. I at all times like my probabilities. I prepare as arduous as actually anyone on the market. There’s a variety of children now which might be very hungry, that wish to win. They wish to take a scalp off you on the massive stadium. I do know that.
“Expertise of being in these sort of specific circumstances helps I believe to have the correct method and do issues in a correct manner as a result of I do know once I’m wholesome and enjoying my finest, on this court docket I’ve probabilities actually in opposition to anyone.”
The one scare for Djokovic got here within the semi-finals of the Adelaide Worldwide 1, the place he harm his hamstring throughout his victory in opposition to Daniil Medvedev. The Serbian recovered to defeat Sebastian Korda in a three-set remaining, during which he saved a championship level.
“I’ve been fighting {that a} bit, to be trustworthy, the previous seven days. However it’s hopefully not the key concern. Thus far I have been capable of prepare, compete and play factors, observe units. In order that’s a optimistic signal,” Djokovic stated of his hamstring. “Clearly, I am being a bit extra cautious. I am not going full out on the coaching periods, conserving the power for subsequent week. Hopefully it will not trigger a problem for me then.”
Though Djokovic may have all eyes on him in Melbourne because the match favorite, he’s additionally protecting the chance to once more etch his identify within the historical past books in perspective.
“At this stage of my profession, in fact the most important ones rely probably the most, the most important occasions, and making an attempt to remain wholesome and mentally contemporary and joyful on the court docket,” Djokovic stated. “It is necessary, as a result of on the finish of the day it is a good steadiness between organising the objectives and making an attempt to realize these objectives and being skilled about it, but additionally the opposite facet is why are you enjoying tennis. I select to play, I actually love enjoying tennis. It brings me fantastic feelings. Typically not.
“It is a good way for me to study extra about myself, to develop in life as a persona. Hopefully I am going to additionally convey good feelings to folks that watch me play reside on the court docket or on TV. Figuring out all these items, I attempt to steadiness issues out as a result of it’s a skilled mission that I’ve, however on the identical time it is also a private mission. I attempt to take pleasure in each single second.”