Novak Djokovic tells the story of his childhood dream incessantly. As a seven-year-old, he wished to win Wimbledon. Little did that younger boy know that he would accomplish a lot, way more.
When the Serbian finally launched into his skilled profession, Pete Sampras’ males’s singles file 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 pondering so intensely and concretely in regards to the historical past of the weeks at No. 1 or most Slams till possibly three years in the past,” mentioned 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 enjoying nicely.’
In fact the Slams at that time appeared a bit 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 need to win till the tip of my profession. I do not actually have any quantity.”
Djokovic Defeats Medvedev For US Open Title, twenty fourth Main
Djokovic has gained a file 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 aim, why put a restrict on what he may obtain?
One among Djokovic’s solely stumbles over the previous few years got here within the US Open closing two years in the past in opposition to Medvedev, the identical participant he defeated Sunday. Making an attempt to develop into the primary man since Rod Laver in 1969 to say all 4 majors in the identical 12 months, the Serbian faltered and misplaced in straight units, enjoying 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 mentioned. “So I realized my lesson. My workforce, my household knew that the final 24 hours, do not contact me, do not communicate 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.”
Novak Djokovic counts 4 US Open titles from 10 finals amongst his 24 main trophies.” />
Picture: Getty Pictures
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 assume I’ve ever performed an extended set in my life, significantly not on this event in opposition to a prime participant like Daniil,” Djokovic mentioned. “I feel he was in all probability a greater participant within the second set. He deserved to win that set greater than I did. Someway 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: “Truthfully, within the second I felt like I used to be shedding air on so many events, and my legs, as nicely. I do not recall being so exhausted after rallies actually as I’ve been within the second set.”
One among Djokovic’s huge needs was to be competing for and successful main trophies when his youngsters have been sufficiently old to know the magnitude of such an accomplishment. His son, Stefan and daughter, Tara, have 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 suppose that type of harmless little one vitality, I received it from her. After I was going by means of the very tense moments, significantly within the second set once I wanted a bit little bit of a push of power, of simply lightness, I suppose, she gave me a smile, a fist pump,” Djokovic mentioned. “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, they usually have been each there. They’re each conscious of what is occurring.”
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 brief — shedding a five-set thriller within the Wimbledon closing — of finishing the Grand Slam.
“These are the moments and these are the type of feelings that I inspire myself with each single day once I’m not enjoying a match. Yeah, often [I am] asking myself, ‘Why do I would like this nonetheless at this stage in spite of everything I’ve performed? How lengthy do I need to preserve going?’” Djokovic mentioned. “I do have these questions in my head, after all. However figuring out that I play at such a excessive stage nonetheless and I win the largest tournaments on this sport, I do not need to do away with this sport or I do not need to go away this sport if I am nonetheless on the prime, if I am nonetheless enjoying the best way I am enjoying.”
Djokovic’s aim firstly of the season was to attempt to win all 4 majors, however he mentioned he would have signed for successful three of 4 and reaching the Wimbledon closing. The issue for the remainder of the ATP Tour is that the 36-year-old reveals no indicators of slowing down.
“Finally at some point I’ll go away tennis in about 23, 24 years. And there may be going to be new younger gamers developing,” Djokovic mentioned, cracking a smile. “Till then, I suppose you will see me a bit extra.”
