Two years after being sensationally deported, the indomitable Novak Djokovic will return to Australia in January as a sizzling favorite to change into probably the most prolific grand slam winner in tennis historical past.
In one more unbelievable twist within the story of world sport’s most dominant triumvirate, Djokovic all however ended the greatest-ever debate as soon as and for all together with his record-equalling twenty fourth grand slam singles triumph on the US Open in New York.
In matching Margaret Court’s magical majors mark with a fourth Flushing Meadows title, the tremendous Serb prolonged his grand slam trophy lead over Rafael Nadal to 2.
With the battered, sidelined and virtually damaged Nadal planning to complete up subsequent yr and fellow tennis titan Roger Federer already retired with “only” 20 slams, Djokovic has absolutely confirmed his standing as males’s tennis’s GOAT (best of all time).
And how.
Federer had 16 slams to his credit score earlier than Djokovic received his second in 2011.
But the Serb has since spent the previous dozen years relentlessly chasing Federer and Nadal down and has finally eliminated his two nice rivals from a few of the most important pages within the tennis historical past books.
Set to get pleasure from a 391st week atop the rankings, Djokovic has additionally surpassed Federer (310) because the longest-serving world No.1 and boasts probably the most Masters 1000 titles with 38, in comparison with Nadal’s 36 and Federer’s 28.
Djokovic additionally leads Nadal 30-29 face to face and Federer 27-23 in profession conferences and now boasts an unrivalled 36 grand slam last appearances.
Stop the struggle.
But the oldest US Open champion in historical past insists he is nonetheless removed from completed.
“I don’t put any number right now in my mind on how many slams I want to win until the end of my career. I don’t really have any number,” Djokovic stated.
“I’ll continue to prioritise them as my most important tournaments and where I want to play the best tennis.
“So that won’t change. That will keep the identical within the subsequent season or I do not know what number of extra seasons I’ve in my legs. So let’s examine.
“I was probably not thinking so intensely and concretely about the history of the weeks at No.1 or most slams until maybe three years ago.
“Then I realised, OK, I’m fairly shut for weeks in No.1. I even have a fairly good likelihood on the grand slams (document) if I hold wholesome and if I’m enjoying properly.
“Of course the slams at that point seemed a little bit less reachable than weeks of No.1, but I believed. I believed that I’ll make it.”
Few others did when Djokovic, already banned from competing within the US until he was jabbed in opposition to COVID-19, was thrown out of Australia on the eve of the primary main of 2022 in Melbourne for getting into the nation whereas unvaccinated.
“I guess people have comeback stories,” Djokovic stated within the superb aftermath of his newest Big Apple victory.
“I love them too. They motivate me. Obviously different circumstances, Australia and here.”
Now the Melbourne Park king has the prospect to surpass Court, mockingly on the neighbouring Margaret Court Arena to the place he has dominated Rod Laver Arena with an unrivalled 10 Open triumphs since 2008.
“I’m going to keep going,” Djokovic stated.
“I feel good in my own body. I still feel I got the support of my environment, of my team, of my family.
“Grand slams, I’ve vocalised that in the previous few years, have been at all times the very best purpose and the precedence of mine in the entire season. I do not play as a lot when it comes to different tournaments.
“So I try to prioritise my preparation so that I can peak in slams.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
