Novak Djokovic tells the story of his childhood dream regularly. As a seven-year-old, he needed to win Wimbledon. Little did that younger boy know that he would accomplish a lot, rather more.

When the Serbian finally launched into his skilled profession, Pete Sampras’ males’s singles report of 14 main titles loomed giant. Djokovic’s chief rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal loomed even bigger.

After successful his fourth US Open trophy on Sunday by defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight units, Djokovic now owns 24 Slam crowns and exhibits no indicators of slowing down.

“To be trustworthy with you, I used to be most likely not pondering so intensely and concretely in regards to the historical past of the weeks at No. 1 or most Slams till perhaps three years in the past,” stated Djokovic, who on Monday begins a record-extending 390th week atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. «Then I realised, ‘Okay, I’m fairly shut for weeks in No. 1. I even have a reasonably good likelihood on the Grand Slams if I maintain wholesome and if I’m taking part in effectively.’
Of course the Slams at that time appeared somewhat bit much less reachable than weeks of No. 1, however I believed. I believed that I’ll make it.

“I do not put any quantity proper now in my thoughts on what number of Slams I need to win till the top of my profession. I do not actually have any quantity.”

Djokovic has gained a report 12 majors after turning 30, and 7 of the previous 10 Grand Slam tournaments he has performed. For somebody who as soon as thought successful one Wimbledon title was a lofty objective, why put a restrict on what he may obtain?

One of Djokovic’s solely stumbles over the previous few years got here within the US Open ultimate two years in the past towards Medvedev, the identical participant he defeated Sunday. Attempting to turn out to be the primary man since Rod Laver in 1969 to say all 4 majors in the identical yr, the Serbian faltered and misplaced in straight units, taking part in removed from his greatest tennis.

“I actually did my greatest within the final 48 hours to not enable the significance of the second and what’s on the road get to my head, as a result of two years in the past that is what occurred, and I underperformed and I wasn’t in a position to be at my greatest and I used to be outplayed,” Djokovic stated. “So I realized my lesson. My staff, my household knew that the final 24 hours, do not contact me, do not communicate to me in regards to the historical past of what is on the road.

“I actually did my greatest to maintain issues fairly easy and stick with the routines that introduced me to the place I’m and deal with this match actually as some other match the place I simply must win.”

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Djokovic did simply that. The match was far nearer than the 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 scoreline, although. Medvedev’s technique of dragging out factors appeared to pay dividends midway into the second set, when the eventual champion started exhibiting indicators of fatigue.

“I do not assume I’ve ever performed an extended set in my life, significantly not on this event towards a prime participant like Daniil,” Djokovic stated. “I believe he was most likely a greater participant within the second set. He deserved to win that set greater than I did. Somehow I managed to show issues round within the tie-break. When it mattered I put one ball into play greater than he did. And that was sufficient.”

Djokovic added: “Honestly, within the second I felt like I used to be dropping air on so many events, and my legs, as effectively. I do not recall being so exhausted after rallies actually as I’ve been within the second set.”

One of Djokovic’s large needs was to be competing for and successful main trophies when his children had been sufficiently old to know the magnitude of such an accomplishment. His son, Stefan and daughter, Tara, had been each within the crowd. As the pivotal second set neared the two-hour mark, Djokovic discovered motivation in seeing his daughter courtside.

“She was dealing with me after I was sitting on the bench. And she smiled at me. Every single time I wanted, I assume that form of harmless baby power, I bought it from her. When I used to be going by the very irritating moments, significantly within the second set after I wanted somewhat little bit of a push of power, of simply lightness, I assume, she gave me a smile, a fist pump,” Djokovic stated. “She was into it. It’s so humorous to see that and so attention-grabbing to see that she’s six years outdated, my son is 9, they usually had been each there. They’re each conscious of what is taking place.»

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Once Djokovic earned a two-set lead, he discovered his legs once more and surged to the end line inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. For the fourth time in his profession, Djokovic claimed three majors in a single season. He got here only one match brief — dropping a five-set thriller within the Wimbledon ultimate — of finishing the Grand Slam.

“These are the moments and these are the form of feelings that I encourage myself with each single day when I’m not taking part in a match. Yeah, often [I am] asking myself, ‘Why do I would like this nonetheless at this stage in any case I’ve accomplished? How lengthy do I need to maintain going?’” Djokovic stated. “I do have these questions in my head, after all. But realizing that I play at such a excessive degree nonetheless and I win the most important tournaments on this sport, I do not need to do away with this sport or I do not need to depart this sport if I’m nonetheless on the prime, if I’m nonetheless taking part in the way in which I’m taking part in.”

Djokovic’s objective initially of the season was to attempt to win all 4 majors, however he stated he would have signed for successful three of 4 and reaching the Wimbledon ultimate. The drawback for the remainder of the ATP Tour is that the 36-year-old exhibits no indicators of slowing down. 

“Eventually sooner or later I’ll depart tennis in about 23, 24 years. And there’s going to be new younger gamers arising,” Djokovic stated, cracking a smile. “Until then, I assume you may see me a bit extra.”

Source web site: www.atptour.com