I’m even better now, warns Djokovic
Serb sinks Nadal 6-3, 6-4 to win World Tour Finals again.
Djokovic has equalled Nadal for the longest winning streak of 2013 after claiming his 22nd successive victory since losing to the Spaniard in the US Open final. PHOTO: AFP
LONDON:
Novak Djokovic reigned supreme at the ATP World Tour Finals yet again as the defending champion crushed world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in Monday’s final.
“Next to the run that I had in 2011, this is definitely the second best I’ve had,” said Djokovic. “For me, the most positive thing is the fact that I managed to regroup after a few big losses to Nadal.
“After that I needed to take things slowly and analyse what I did wrong in the matches against him, to understand what I need to do in order to win. I’ve worked harder and become an even more skilful player. I think the results are showing that we had a great improvement.”
World number two Djokovic has now won the prestigious season-ending event three times and is the eighth player to successfully defend the Tour Finals title.
The Serb has also equalled Nadal for the longest winning streak of 2013 after claiming his 22nd successive victory since losing to the Spaniard in the US Open final.
He has now beaten Nadal 10 times in 19 finals, while extending his winning run at London’s O2 Arena to 10 matches since losing to Janko Tipsarevic two years ago.
It was fitting that the final of the season’s last singles competition should feature the top two in the world rankings, but it was Djokovic who stole the show.
Nadal content with ‘special year’ despite defeat
Nadal insisted his failure to win a first ATP World Tour Finals title can’t take the shine off one of the best seasons of his career.
“It’s very special what happened this year. For me, the emotions of this year after a tough time have been fantastic,” said Nadal.
“All the achievements, all the success that I had this year, without my family and all my team it’s impossible to do what I did, with so much success and so many special moments. It’s the day to say congratulations and thanks to all the people who were behind me supporting me.”
The loss denied Nadal a place in the record books as he would have become only the second man after Andre Agassi to have won all four Grand Slams, an Olympic gold medal, the Davis Cup and the Tour Finals.
Asked if he was frustrated to have missed out on such a rare achievement, Nadal said: “No. That’s the sport. I will not be a better player whether I won or lost.”
Djokovic eyes Davis Cup glory
Novak Djokovic has set his sights on following his successful defence of the ATP World Tour Finals by leading Serbia to glory in the Davis Cup final.
The world number two has no time to rest on his laurels as he will now fly to home to Belgrade to prepare for the Davis Cup final clash against holders Czech Republic, which starts on Friday.
Serbia last won the Davis Cup in 2010 and Djokovic would dearly love to repeat that triumph.
“It’s a fact that it’s been a very long season for me and I’m exhausted in every way,” said Djokovic. “But God knows if we’re going to have as a country another opportunity like this to win a Davis Cup title at home.
“We have very tough opponents, the defending champions, but the Davis Cup is the only team competition in our sport that brings the best possible energy and willpower in me.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2013.
Novak Djokovic reigned supreme at the ATP World Tour Finals yet again as the defending champion crushed world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in Monday’s final.
“Next to the run that I had in 2011, this is definitely the second best I’ve had,” said Djokovic. “For me, the most positive thing is the fact that I managed to regroup after a few big losses to Nadal.
“After that I needed to take things slowly and analyse what I did wrong in the matches against him, to understand what I need to do in order to win. I’ve worked harder and become an even more skilful player. I think the results are showing that we had a great improvement.”
World number two Djokovic has now won the prestigious season-ending event three times and is the eighth player to successfully defend the Tour Finals title.
The Serb has also equalled Nadal for the longest winning streak of 2013 after claiming his 22nd successive victory since losing to the Spaniard in the US Open final.
He has now beaten Nadal 10 times in 19 finals, while extending his winning run at London’s O2 Arena to 10 matches since losing to Janko Tipsarevic two years ago.
It was fitting that the final of the season’s last singles competition should feature the top two in the world rankings, but it was Djokovic who stole the show.
Nadal content with ‘special year’ despite defeat
Nadal insisted his failure to win a first ATP World Tour Finals title can’t take the shine off one of the best seasons of his career.
“It’s very special what happened this year. For me, the emotions of this year after a tough time have been fantastic,” said Nadal.
“All the achievements, all the success that I had this year, without my family and all my team it’s impossible to do what I did, with so much success and so many special moments. It’s the day to say congratulations and thanks to all the people who were behind me supporting me.”
The loss denied Nadal a place in the record books as he would have become only the second man after Andre Agassi to have won all four Grand Slams, an Olympic gold medal, the Davis Cup and the Tour Finals.
Asked if he was frustrated to have missed out on such a rare achievement, Nadal said: “No. That’s the sport. I will not be a better player whether I won or lost.”
Djokovic eyes Davis Cup glory
Novak Djokovic has set his sights on following his successful defence of the ATP World Tour Finals by leading Serbia to glory in the Davis Cup final.
The world number two has no time to rest on his laurels as he will now fly to home to Belgrade to prepare for the Davis Cup final clash against holders Czech Republic, which starts on Friday.
Serbia last won the Davis Cup in 2010 and Djokovic would dearly love to repeat that triumph.
“It’s a fact that it’s been a very long season for me and I’m exhausted in every way,” said Djokovic. “But God knows if we’re going to have as a country another opportunity like this to win a Davis Cup title at home.
“We have very tough opponents, the defending champions, but the Davis Cup is the only team competition in our sport that brings the best possible energy and willpower in me.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2013.