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, way more.
When the Serbian ultimately 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 reveals no indicators of slowing down.
“To be trustworthy with you, I used to be in all probability not considering 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 am fairly shut for weeks in No. 1. I even have a reasonably good probability on the Grand Slams if I preserve wholesome and if I am taking part in effectively.’
In fact the Slams at that time appeared somewhat bit much less reachable than weeks of No. 1, however I believed. I believed that I will make it.
“I do not put any quantity proper now in my thoughts on what number of Slams I wish 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?
Certainly one of Djokovic’s solely stumbles over the previous few years got here within the US Open last two years in the past towards Medvedev, the identical participant he defeated Sunday. Making an attempt to turn out to be the primary man since Rod Laver in 1969 to assert all 4 majors in the identical yr, the Serbian faltered and misplaced in straight units, taking part in removed from his finest tennis.
“I actually did my finest 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 capable of be at my finest and I used to be outplayed,” Djokovic stated. “So I discovered my lesson. My crew, my household knew that the final 24 hours, do not contact me, do not converse to me in regards to the historical past of what is on the road.
“I actually did my finest to maintain issues fairly easy and keep on with the routines that introduced me to the place I’m and deal with this match actually as another match the place I simply must win.”
Photograph: Getty Photographs
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 displaying indicators of fatigue.
“I do not suppose I’ve ever performed an extended set in my life, notably not on this event towards a high participant like Daniil,” Djokovic stated. “I feel he was in all probability a greater participant within the second set. He deserved to win that set greater than I did. One way or the other 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: “Actually, 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.”
Certainly one of Djokovic’s massive needs was to be competing for and successful main trophies when his children had been sufficiently old to grasp the magnitude of such an accomplishment. His son, Stefan and daughter, Tara, had been each within the crowd. Because the pivotal second set neared the two-hour mark, Djokovic discovered motivation in seeing his daughter courtside.
“She was dealing with me once I was sitting on the bench. And he or she smiled at me. Each single time I wanted, I assume that sort of harmless baby power, I bought it from her. After I was going by way of the very tense moments, notably within the second set once I wanted somewhat little bit of a push of energy, of simply lightness, I assume, she gave me a smile, a fist pump,” Djokovic stated. “She was into it. It is so humorous to see that and so fascinating to see that she’s six years outdated, my son is 9, and so they had been each there. They’re each conscious of what is taking place.”
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As soon as 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 quick — dropping a five-set thriller within the Wimbledon last — of finishing the Grand Slam.
“These are the moments and these are the sort of feelings that I inspire myself with each single day once I’m not taking part in a match. Yeah, sometimes [I am] asking myself, ‘Why do I want this nonetheless at this stage in any case I’ve performed? How lengthy do I wish to preserve going?’” Djokovic stated. “I do have these questions in my head, after all. However figuring out that I play at such a excessive degree nonetheless and I win the most important tournaments on this sport, I do not wish to do away with this sport or I do not wish to depart this sport if I am nonetheless on the high, if I am nonetheless taking part in the best way I am taking part in.”
Djokovic’s objective at first 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 last. The issue for the remainder of the ATP Tour is that the 36-year-old reveals no indicators of slowing down.
“Ultimately at some point I’ll depart tennis in about 23, 24 years. And there’s going to be new younger gamers arising,” Djokovic stated, cracking a smile. “Till then, I assume you may see me a bit extra.”
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