The Serbian star Novak Djokovic faces the Australian Open with one goal between his eyebrows: to win his tenth title in Melbourne and equal the Spanish Rafa Nadal as the tennis player with the most number of Grand Slams. “That’s why I continue to play tennis professionally, because I want to be the best, I want to win the most important tournaments in the world. It’s no secret,” said the Serbian this Saturday (01.14.2023), who is only one title away from 22 Christmas greats.
“It’s also one of the main reasons why I was so looking forward to coming back to Australia, because of my records here. I really love playing at Rod Laver Arena. I’ve been very successful, hopefully it continues this year.”
Djokovic had a chance to break the tournament record last year in Melbourne, but was deported before kick-off for not being vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. His Spanish rival took the opportunity to take her 21st Grand Slam, something no man had achieved before and she improved a few months later by lifting her 14th Roland Garros.
The Serb closed the gap at Wimbledon and now comes to Australia as “the top favourite” for victory in the words of Nadal himself.
“I like my chances. I always like my chances. I train as hard as anybody out there. There are a lot of young guys who are very hungry, who want to win, I know that,” Djokovic said.
But “the experience of being in these particular circumstances helps, I think, to have the right approach and to do things the right way, because I know when I’m healthy and playing at my best. On this court, I have options against anyone,” he added.
Winner of the ATP Finals last season and in Adelaide in his first tournament of the year, Djokovic debuts on Tuesday against the Spanish Roberto Carballés with the unknown of how his hamstrings will be, where he had discomfort last week.
“I’ve been suffering with it a bit, actually, the last seven days,” he said. “But luckily it’s not my biggest concern. So far I’ve been able to train, compete and play points and practice sets,” added the 35-year-old Serb.
After the warm welcome received in Australia, Djokovic wants to put the problems of the previous year behind him. “If I held a grudge, if I couldn’t get over it, I wouldn’t be here. I also have to say that the lot of positive experiences I had in Australia outweigh the negative experience last year,” he said. (AFP)
