I want more Grand Slams: Djokovic
World number three happy to be compared to Nadal, Federer.
MELBOURNE:
Novak Djokovic belted out Serbian folk songs in an all-in party after clinching the Australian Open, but shrugged off a poor night’s sleep to focus on more glory on the clay-courts of Roland Garros.
“I was handling myself under the circumstances quite well,” said Djokovic. “I could not really sleep because I was still under the great impression of winning a title, so it was hard because of the excitement.”
The 23-year-old was jubilant about having hit his stride after fighting years of doubt as a one-slam wonder since taking his first title at Melbourne Park in 2008. “It’s been a period of ups and downs for me the last three years ... I haven’t had that consistency and self-belief that I’ve needed.
“Right now and the last six months, I feel that I’ve reached that stage that I believe that I can really win it. In the last two months I’m probably playing the best tennis of my life and I cannot ask for a better start to the season.”
Djokovic set up his title with a semi-final trouncing of Roger Federer, and his domination of Murray has fuelled talk of a new grand slam triumvirate, with the Serbian tipped to share more of the grand slam spoils with the Swiss master and Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
“If the people want to call me a part of the big three, then that’s great. I have big respect for Federer and Nadal, they are great examples of champions on and off the court in every sense.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2011.
Novak Djokovic belted out Serbian folk songs in an all-in party after clinching the Australian Open, but shrugged off a poor night’s sleep to focus on more glory on the clay-courts of Roland Garros.
“I was handling myself under the circumstances quite well,” said Djokovic. “I could not really sleep because I was still under the great impression of winning a title, so it was hard because of the excitement.”
The 23-year-old was jubilant about having hit his stride after fighting years of doubt as a one-slam wonder since taking his first title at Melbourne Park in 2008. “It’s been a period of ups and downs for me the last three years ... I haven’t had that consistency and self-belief that I’ve needed.
“Right now and the last six months, I feel that I’ve reached that stage that I believe that I can really win it. In the last two months I’m probably playing the best tennis of my life and I cannot ask for a better start to the season.”
Djokovic set up his title with a semi-final trouncing of Roger Federer, and his domination of Murray has fuelled talk of a new grand slam triumvirate, with the Serbian tipped to share more of the grand slam spoils with the Swiss master and Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
“If the people want to call me a part of the big three, then that’s great. I have big respect for Federer and Nadal, they are great examples of champions on and off the court in every sense.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2011.