This is his moment, and Djokovic is out to make the most of it

World number one won the Miami Masters to further strengthen his position as the world’s best

MIAMI: Novak Djokovic, entering the 141st week of his career at number one in the world and fresh off a milestone fifth Miami Masters title, just wants to keep up the pace as long as he can.

“I'm trying to enjoy the moment and also utilise this time of my career. I'm feeling confident and physically fit," said Djokovic on Sunday after a gritty three-set triumph over Andy Murray in the Miami final. "I'm trying to use that. That's what I'm thinking about right now."

The 27-year-old Serb goes into the European claycourt season highlighted by the French Open having won the three biggest tournaments of the first quarter of the year: the Australian Open and both the Indian Wells and the Miami Masters.

"I am aware that this cannot go forever," added Djokovic. "There is eventually going to be a change of generations, some players that are going to start playing better and be stronger.”

However, for now, he wants to enjoy the moment. “But until that time comes, I'm going to try to stay as long as I can on the top and fight for the biggest titles."

With 4,000 points separating him from Federer at number two in the world, Djokovic is poised to finish at number one for the fourth time in five years.

His 22nd ATP Masters victory is just one short of Roger Federer's 23 on a list led by Rafael Nadal's 27.

Djokovic became the first player to sweep the back-to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami for a third time. It's the kind of achievement that he says fuels his ambition.

"Of course I do pay attention to that," he said. "I'm hugely proud of any kind of achievement that goes into the history books and I appreciate it very much, because I work hard for it and I do cherish it."

Djokovic's victory in Melbourne was his eighth Grand Slam triumph and his first since becoming a father and husband last year. He says having a family has added a new dimension to his successes on court.

A rigorous fitness regime allows him to play at a high level tournament after tournament, while coach Boris Becker has helped him hone his mental game.

He needed all of his physical reserves in the punishing heat and humidity against Murray.

But after a second-set dip in his energy level, he roared back for a 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-0 triumph — his seventh straight win against the Scot.

"I managed to, again, rely on the energy supply that I have in my legs and my fitness to basically hold on and make it all the way through the match [to] play the third set the way I have played, like I haven't really been exhausted too much even though we played over two-and-a-half hours."

But fitness isn't everything, Djokovic said, especially on the game's biggest stages. "Obviously tennis is an individual and very complex sport," he said. "It requires the right balance between physical preparation and mental strength and emotional, I would say, calmness and self-belief. You kind of holistically need to approach it and be at your top"

At the moment, Djokovic is hitting that balance perfectly. His powers are sure to wane some time down the line but for the time being, he is enjoying their peak and he is determined to enjoy them as long he can.

 
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