Djokovic sets sights on career Grand Slam
Murray hopes to find killer instinct after close final.
Winner of now six Grand Slam titles, Djokovic is already looking forward to the Roland Garros in May and the Davis Cup tie starting this week. PHOTO: AFP
MELBOURNE:
Novak Djokovic set his sights on completing the elusive career Grand Slam at this year’s French Open after confirming his mastery of men’s tennis at the Australian Open.
With six Grand Slam titles at the age of 25, the Serbian world number one could be forgiven for taking it easy but immediately after clinching his fourth Melbourne win, his mind was on Roland Garros in May.
“I want to go all the way in the French Open,” said Djokovic. “I went to the finals last year and had a great match against Rafa (Nadal), but he’s always the favourite on that surface and he’s the ultimate player to beat on clay.
“But I think if I continue on playing well, stay healthy, I can have a chance.”
Djokovic was anxious to hurry home after picking up the trophy and the $2.5 million winner’s cheque to make it in good time for this week’s Davis Cup tie with Belgium.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun next weekend to see how I can adjust to a clay court in indoor conditions, playing away Davis Cup, which is always tricky. But right now my thoughts are on enjoying this trophy.”
Murray aims to find his killer touch
Meanwhile, Andy Murray believes he has the physique, the technique, the demeanour and the belief. Now all he needs to add is the killer touch.
For more than an hour, the Scot dominated the final, leaving Djokovic blinking, agitated and gasping for breath.
Three break points in game two of the second set, and the champion was on the ropes. But Murray’s chance came and went, and Djokovic gratefully grasped his reprieve.
Murray, US Open trophy in his cabinet and a veteran of six Grand Slam finals already, shed no tears for the loss and gave an assured speech in defeat.
“Well, I mean, there’s going to be some obvious reasons for me feeling a little bit better,” said Murray. “The last few months have been the best tennis of my life.
“I made Wimbledon final, won the Olympics, won the US Open. I was close here as well. It was close. No one’s ever won a Slam, the immediate one after winning their first one. It’s not the easiest thing to do. And I got extremely close.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2013.
Novak Djokovic set his sights on completing the elusive career Grand Slam at this year’s French Open after confirming his mastery of men’s tennis at the Australian Open.
With six Grand Slam titles at the age of 25, the Serbian world number one could be forgiven for taking it easy but immediately after clinching his fourth Melbourne win, his mind was on Roland Garros in May.
“I want to go all the way in the French Open,” said Djokovic. “I went to the finals last year and had a great match against Rafa (Nadal), but he’s always the favourite on that surface and he’s the ultimate player to beat on clay.
“But I think if I continue on playing well, stay healthy, I can have a chance.”
Djokovic was anxious to hurry home after picking up the trophy and the $2.5 million winner’s cheque to make it in good time for this week’s Davis Cup tie with Belgium.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun next weekend to see how I can adjust to a clay court in indoor conditions, playing away Davis Cup, which is always tricky. But right now my thoughts are on enjoying this trophy.”
Murray aims to find his killer touch
Meanwhile, Andy Murray believes he has the physique, the technique, the demeanour and the belief. Now all he needs to add is the killer touch.
For more than an hour, the Scot dominated the final, leaving Djokovic blinking, agitated and gasping for breath.
Three break points in game two of the second set, and the champion was on the ropes. But Murray’s chance came and went, and Djokovic gratefully grasped his reprieve.
Murray, US Open trophy in his cabinet and a veteran of six Grand Slam finals already, shed no tears for the loss and gave an assured speech in defeat.
“Well, I mean, there’s going to be some obvious reasons for me feeling a little bit better,” said Murray. “The last few months have been the best tennis of my life.
“I made Wimbledon final, won the Olympics, won the US Open. I was close here as well. It was close. No one’s ever won a Slam, the immediate one after winning their first one. It’s not the easiest thing to do. And I got extremely close.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2013.