Djokovic sets sights on Olympics
by Agency Staff,
2015-11-24 05:55:07.0
LONDON — Novak Djokovic has set his sights on surpassing his almost perfect year by winning the only two major titles to have eluded him — the French Open and Olympics.
Djokovic enjoyed a fitting finale to the best season of his life as he crushed Roger Federer 6-3 6-4 to win the ATP Tour Finals for a record fourth successive year on Sunday.
But the 28-year-old is far too competitive to rest on his laurels and he is already setting goals to keep him motivated next year.
His primary aim is to finally end his wait to win the French Open, which remains the one Grand Slam crown to elude him after he suffered a third Roland Garros final defeat at the hands of Stan Wawrinka earlier this year.
And his secondary mission comes in Rio, where he will go in search of a first Olympics singles gold medal after winning bronze in Beijing in 2008.
"Roland Garros is always one of the biggest challenges I have every year, but it’s not the only one. There are the Olympic Games that are happening every four years," Djokovic said. "Next year is going to be very condensed in terms of scheduling. I will try to do as well as I’ve done in the last couple of years, always peak at the right moments and always try to perform my best at the biggest events."
Djokovic’s master class under the dome of London’s O2 Arena brought him an 11th title at the conclusion of arguably the greatest run by any male player.
He won 82 of his 88 matches, reached a record 15 consecutive finals, and lifted the Wimbledon, the Australian and US Open trophies, as well as earning six Masters 1000 titles, and collected more than $17m in prize money.
As he reflected on that incredible haul, Djokovic admitted that it was close to perfection.
"It’s been a great season with many highlights. If I can, I would pick the Grand Slam wins, especially the Wimbledon and US Open," he said.
"Overall it’s been as close to perfection as it can get. Obviously sitting here with this trophy alongside me, I couldn’t ask for a better finish.
"I’m just blessed and overwhelmed with the emotion and the thrill to be achieving such a great season. It inspires me even more to keep on going and hopefully playing on this level in the future."
Djokovic’s fifth Tour Finals crown was secured in suitably imperious style as he brushed aside Federer after crushing his old rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
After spending the start of his career labouring in the shadow of those two greats, Djokovic said he owed much of his success to his desire to prove he was on their level.
"Those two rivalries made me a better player, the player I am today, no doubt," he said. "They made me understand what I need to do both on and off the court to be able to be in this position now."
Djokovic now finds himself in the conversation as one of the greatest of all time. He needs one more Tour Finals title to catch record-holder Federer and seven more Grand Slams to catch the Swiss great’s record-breaking total of 17.
"I’m convinced with this dedication to the sport, I can achieve more. How much, I don’t know," Djokovic said.
"I don’t have a sense of urgency. I just try to be in the moment and see where it takes me."
AFP
Novak Djokovic. Picture: REUTERS/ROBERT DEUTSCH
LONDON — Novak Djokovic has set his sights on surpassing his almost perfect year by winning the only two major titles to have eluded him — the French Open and Olympics.
Djokovic enjoyed a fitting finale to the best season of his life as he crushed Roger Federer 6-3 6-4 to win the ATP Tour Finals for a record fourth successive year on Sunday.
But the 28-year-old is far too competitive to rest on his laurels and he is already setting goals to keep him motivated next year.
His primary aim is to finally end his wait to win the French Open, which remains the one Grand Slam crown to elude him after he suffered a third Roland Garros final defeat at the hands of Stan Wawrinka earlier this year.
And his secondary mission comes in Rio, where he will go in search of a first Olympics singles gold medal after winning bronze in Beijing in 2008.
"Roland Garros is always one of the biggest challenges I have every year, but it’s not the only one. There are the Olympic Games that are happening every four years," Djokovic said. "Next year is going to be very condensed in terms of scheduling. I will try to do as well as I’ve done in the last couple of years, always peak at the right moments and always try to perform my best at the biggest events."
Djokovic’s master class under the dome of London’s O2 Arena brought him an 11th title at the conclusion of arguably the greatest run by any male player.
He won 82 of his 88 matches, reached a record 15 consecutive finals, and lifted the Wimbledon, the Australian and US Open trophies, as well as earning six Masters 1000 titles, and collected more than $17m in prize money.
As he reflected on that incredible haul, Djokovic admitted that it was close to perfection.
"It’s been a great season with many highlights. If I can, I would pick the Grand Slam wins, especially the Wimbledon and US Open," he said.
"Overall it’s been as close to perfection as it can get. Obviously sitting here with this trophy alongside me, I couldn’t ask for a better finish.
"I’m just blessed and overwhelmed with the emotion and the thrill to be achieving such a great season. It inspires me even more to keep on going and hopefully playing on this level in the future."
Djokovic’s fifth Tour Finals crown was secured in suitably imperious style as he brushed aside Federer after crushing his old rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals.
After spending the start of his career labouring in the shadow of those two greats, Djokovic said he owed much of his success to his desire to prove he was on their level.
"Those two rivalries made me a better player, the player I am today, no doubt," he said. "They made me understand what I need to do both on and off the court to be able to be in this position now."
Djokovic now finds himself in the conversation as one of the greatest of all time. He needs one more Tour Finals title to catch record-holder Federer and seven more Grand Slams to catch the Swiss great’s record-breaking total of 17.
"I’m convinced with this dedication to the sport, I can achieve more. How much, I don’t know," Djokovic said.
"I don’t have a sense of urgency. I just try to be in the moment and see where it takes me."
AFP
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