Novak Djokovic, ATP ranking second player and major threat to dethrone Rafa Nadal in the first place worldwide, said in Rome that is playing the best tennis of his life and is now somewhat closer to the number 1.
Novak Djokovic, ATP ranking second player and major threat to dethrone Rafa Nadal in the first place worldwide, said in Rome that is playing the best tennis of his life and is now somewhat closer to the number 1.
"I'm playing the best tennis of my life," Djokovic said in a press conference at the Foro Italico. The Serb reached this quote as flamboyant winner of the Madrid tournament after winning the final to Rafael Nadal and challenge Spanish supremacy on clay. A company a few months ago he found it "mission impossible" as he acknowledged in response to a question on whether he considered more difficult to beat Nadal on the ground or the Swiss Roger Federer on grass.
This party, "the best" of those has played this year and "one of the best" played in his life, is a "big step in his career, also in the mental aspect. "Against Nadal is always very difficult to play, especially in the area where he does his best tennis," Djokovic said, although he acknowledged that "if there is somewhere where you have opportunities against Rafa on land, probably in Madrid for their conditions" .
Having fought three end this season, the two could meet again in a hypothetical final on clay in Rome tournament in which the Serbian debut in the second round against Poland's Lukasz Kubot. In addition, the appointment of Rome, one of the last before Roland Garros, is particularly important in the fight for number 1. Asked about their chances to snatch the throne to Nadal, Djokovic admitted he was "a little bit closer" but still has much work to do. "All my life I dreamed of becoming the best in the world someday and now it is close, but still I have to work hard to get there, "he said.
The Serbian arrives in Rome with a streak of 32 straight wins this year, 34 if you add two in the Davis Cup final. He said the Davis Cup final against France he gave "very confident" and "was the beginning of this journey in which I am immersed. It's been a very long learning work for me, with hard work and dedication" , said.
'Nole', 23, blamed the improvement in his game to a higher concentration and maturity, both personally and sports. "I identify my success with the maturity I have now as a person and player. Everything has come together, after a period of several years of learning, gaining experience, of being patient and having worked hard. I've always had the qualities to beat the best players in the world in different areas, but now I think more about the track, I'm more stable emotionally and I know what I have to do, "he said.
Djokovic admitted that his strategy is to "keep our feet on the ground" without being distracted by the successes of their rivals and thinking about winning every game he plays. "I try to stay focused and be professional, I have a great team of people around me are doing great work and make my life easier on the tracks," he said. Djokovic acknowledged it has yet to win a major tournament and play with "record" to reach the top and said his dream is to take the crown of Wimbledom.