the serbian Novak Djokovicbrand new Masters champion for the sixth time in his career after beating the Norwegian Casper Ruud in Turin (7-5 and 6-3), assured that despite the fact that this year the Spanish Carlos Alcaraz is number one, in his mind “always” is “the best player in the world”.
after a difficult year in which it has been accompanied by the controversy for not vaccinating against covid-19, The one from Belgrade put the finishing touch to the season by imposing his tennisundefeated in the tournament that brings together the eight best rackets on the circuit.
“You’re the best player in the world?”they ask him at a press conference. “I’m not, I’m fifth”, he answered, accompanied by the trophy that accredits him as a Master and a smile from ear to ear. Nevertheless, qualified his answer.
“This week probably will be. In general, the rankings show who has had the best year, and Alcaraz is number one in the world. Not much to say about it. But in my mind I always see myself as the best player in the world.. I have that kind of mentality and that kind of approach regardless of who is on the other end of the net, what surface it is, what season it is or what number of the pro season in my career we’re up against, I mean, it’s always the same. My ambitions are the highest possible“, he explained.
“It’s that kind of approach that has gotten me to where I’m sitting today. here with 35 years, holding one of the biggest trophies in sport. I haven’t thought about quitting in a while. I feel motivated. I feel good in my own body. I take care of myself. Of course I have a great team of people. As long as there’s that vibe inside of me…” she added.
One of those motivations in this tournament has been to be accompanied by all his familyincluding their children.
“I am very grateful to my wife and children for coming. I don’t usually have these moments on the circuit with them so I try to enjoy it as much as I can. I hope that as they get older they realize even more what a special time we are living together,” he said.
About his continuity on the slopes, does not see a withdrawal close and revealed that will always be linked to tennisanyway: “For me it’s about having good emotions and positive feelings on the track. It’s one thing to win big trophies, everything is super nice, but it’s a fairy tale.”
“You have to go through difficultiesa lot of difficulties, a lot of hard days and challenges on a day-to-day basis in order to push yourself, motivate yourself, work on getting to this level and finally have a chance to win,” he commented.
“It is an integral part of my life, of who I am.. It just fills me up if I’m on the court or watching someone else play. I play with my son, with professionals… I am a true tennis fan. That is for me the most important thing. So I will always continue in tennisIt doesn’t matter what form or role it has,” he said.
DjokovicFurthermore, it made it clear that maintains his ambition to win titles intact.
“I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I know that what I have in my mind is a huge desire to win trophies, to make history in this sport, to compete at the highest level around the world, to convey good emotions to sports and tennis fans. That’s what drives me a lot,” he said.
“So see you in Australia,” he concluded.again, with the radiant smile that accompanied him throughout the press conference, that of a player who stands as Master of Masters with six wounds along with the Swiss Roger Federer.
