Abu Dhabi: Novak Djokovic, who is finishing the year as world No 1 for the second time in a row, has revealed a burning ambition to win every Grand Slam as he oozes confidence ahead of another new season.
“Right now I can approach a new season with a lot of confidence because I won the last big tournament of the year in London [ATP World Tour Finals] and hoping that I can continue playing well,” he told reporters here on Thursday ahead of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship.
“So ambitions are always high. I want to win every Grand Slam that I play, want to win every big tournament that I play. So there is no difference for the next year’s ambition.”
The Serbian star, who still has the French Open to win to complete a career Grand Slam, feels tennis is emerging as one of the most popular sports in the world.
“It’s going to be another exciting year for men’s tennis. Right now it’s probably one of the most popular sports in the world because of these great rivalries that are still out there, like [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal, [which is] still the biggest rivalry from all active players, there is no doubt. Then of course the other rivalries that have developed over the years, mine with Roger, Rafa and now with Andy [Murray]. So it’s a fantastic time for men’s tennis,” the winner of last year’s Mubadala event said.
“And there is the group of players who are just behind us and have proven on several occasions that they can beat the top players and reach the later stages of the major events — [Juan Martin] Del Potro, [David] Ferrer, [Jo-Wilfried] Tsonga, [Tomas] Berdych — those are the guys who are able to win the big matches and take trophies.
“Roland Garros [the French Open] is always at the top of my priority list and ambitions. It’s the only slam I haven’t won. I played in the final, which is a step further than ever before, this year. It was an incredible final and a great experience also.”
The five-time Grand Slam winner believes recent advances in the sport have made it even harder to dominate the men’s game. “It’s going to be very tough. I am definitely aware of the fact that the sport itself has become so competitive,” he said.
“Everybody, looking at all players outside the court, what they do, what they eat, how they treat their teams. The teams around the players are growing. Everyone is becoming more professional, more committed and it’s a modern development and that’s what makes it even more challenging to be at the top for me or any other player.
“With this awareness I am going into the new season, but also with a lot of confidence because I have had an incredible few years.”
