Djokovic keen to surpass Federer’s record

By Daily Sports on December 30, 2018

Novak Djokovic admitted he’d be “lying” if overhauling Roger Federer’s mark of 20 Grand Slam titles was not on his mind.

However, he admitted Saturday it will be a great challenge to get there, especially with the sport’s widely-hyped young generation stepping up.

Djokovic, who sent out an early warning ahead of the official kick-off of his 2019 season with a 4-6, 7-5, 7-5 victory over Kevin Anderson to win the Mubadala World Tennis Championship in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, took his Grand Slam tally to 14 by picking up the Wimbledon and US Open titles within the span of the last five months.

The 31-year-old Serb is currently six majors behind Federer and three adrift of Rafael Nadal, but is likely to keep up the pressure on his rivals this upcoming season considering how he recaptured his dominating form in the second half of 2018.

Asked if there is a record he dreams of capturing before the end of his career, Djokovic said: “I would lie if I say I didn’t want to get to as high as Grand Slam wins number possible. That’s definitely the objective, the desire, the goal.

“Those are probably the tournaments where I want to do my best for the rest of my career, however long that’s going to be, and of course trying to also fight for No. 1 with everyone else.”

Djokovic has lost just three times in the last six months, but all three defeats came against players aged 22 and under (Stefanos Tsitsipas in Toronto, Karen Khachanov in Paris, and Alexander Zverev in London at the World Tour Finals).

On Thursday, the world number one conceded that “the face of tennis is changing” due to the influx of new young talent and he believes the ‘Next Gen’ will make it harder for him to stay on top.

“There’s a new generation of players, Nadal and Federer are still there, (Andy) Murray and (Stan) Wawrinka are coming back, Zverev is the leader of this Next Gen

“Men’s tennis is as good as it can be in terms of competition, in terms of personalities, it’s good to see new faces,” he said after his fourth title victory on Saturday in the UAE capital. (NAN)

•Photo shows Novak Djokovic 

Source Daily Sports

Posted December 30, 2018


 

You may also like...
FIFA to study expanding 2026 World Cup to...

Ighalo nets 14th EPL goal to end 2015...

Klopp and Mane Win Premier League March Awards...

Ifedayo Omosuiyi scores on debut in Malaysia

Akwa Ibom Squash Spectacular Holds Feb. 27-29

Pogba and Manchester United agree on transfer talk...

 

Latest News Hearn slams Ngannou over Joshua defeat excuse Chelsea eye Martinez to replace Osimhen Visa unveils Amusan, Nwachukwu as global ambassadors I’m not under pressure to coach Eagles – Finidi Super Eagles focused on World Cup qualifiers – Omeruo Ibrahim: Striker who wants to emulate Lukaku at Chelsea Boniface ranked best African performer in Europe Napoli may reduce Osimhen price tag Mali beat Nigeria 2-0 in international friendly NOC commends Team Nigeria, government, media for victory at African Games JOF U-13 Cup: 8 Clubs Qualify For Quarterfinals Osimhen resumes training, fit for Atalanta clash

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (53,394 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (44,400 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (42,545 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (42,219 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (42,004 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (41,882 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (41,768 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (41,225 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (40,272 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (39,183 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (37,635 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (37,210 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media