The Serbian celebrates, after being crowned ‘Master’ for the seventh time, 400 weeks as number one in the ATP ranking
MADRID, 20 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic denied that his retirement is near, explaining that he will hold out “as long as I feel like it” and “I can beat them,” in reference to Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune, “the next three greats” of the ATP circuit, at the same time. time that, when celebrating 400 weeks at number one, he set his goal for 2024 “to win four ‘Grand Slam’ and an Olympic gold” at the Paris Games.
“When they play against me, I want them to feel that they will need the best tennis to be able to beat me. That is what I want my opponents to feel, without a doubt, because that helps mentally to face the match,” said the Serbian in statements published by the ATP. after being crowned ‘Master’ for the seventh time in Turin this Sunday.
Djokovic pointed out that winning on a “big stage” makes that “aura” of a champion grow, which gives you “a small percentage advantage” over his rivals, among whom he highlighted Sinner, Alcaraz and Rune. “They are the next big three,” said the Serbian, who nevertheless continues at the top of the ATP ranking, despite being 36 years old.
“I’ll hang in there as long as I feel like it. As long as I can beat them on the big stage, I’ll keep going. Why stop if you’re still winning the biggest titles? Once they start kicking my ass, I’ll probably consider having a little break or maybe a break.” of professional tennis,” Djokovic confessed about his future plans in the short and medium term.
The Serbian has accumulated 400 weeks as number one in the ATP in different periods, a record on the circuit and after ensuring that he finishes at the top for the eighth time at the end of the year. “It’s a pretty good achievement, 400 weeks at number one has never been achieved in history. Someone will break it, but let’s hope he stays here for a long time,” he said.
Despite being 36 years old, the Serbian is already thinking about raising the bar in 2024. “I can win four Grand Slams and an Olympic gold,” he said, smiling about the next Paris Games. “I always have the biggest ambitions and goals. That’s not going to change next year, that’s for sure. The drive I have is still there. My body has been listening to me well,” he celebrated.
“The motivation is still there. At the end of the day, people see you perform in the big tournaments, but they don’t see all the weeks and months of dedication trying to develop your form so that you can peak in the tournaments you want “The mentality is the same. I don’t know if I’m going to have such a good year in 2024, but I’m going to maintain this mental freshness,” predicted Djokovic, who this week will compete with Serbia in the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.