Tuesday 5 August 2014 11:44, UK
After chalking up his seventh Grand Slam title at Wimbledon earlier this summer, world No 1 Novak Djokovic believes he has reached the pinnacle of his career and is determined to maximise his peak in form.
Serbian ace Djokovic got the better of 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at the All England Club in July before rounding of a summer of celebration by tying the knot with partner Jelena Ristic in Montenegro a week later.
A quarter-finalist at the Australian Open at the start of the year and runner-up to Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros, Djokovic peaked in the grasscourt season to claim his second Wimbledon crown.
I’m at the pinnacle of my abilities and I will try to use that to my advantage in future tournaments. Obviously I cannot predict if I am able to win more majors or make myself deserve to be in the elite of all-time greats. But I will just take one day at a time and be grateful for everything that I have in this present moment.
Attention now turns to the hardcourt season and the US Open with Djokovic boasting a wealth of Grand Slam experience, eager to add the 2014 Flushing Meadows title to his 2011 crown.
“Every season brings different challenges and obviously I’m at the stage of my career where I’m experiencing the best tennis,” Djokovic claimed when speaking to Sky Sports.
“I’m at the pinnacle of my abilities and I will try to use that to my advantage in future tournaments.
“Obviously I cannot predict if I am able to win more majors or make myself deserve to be in the elite of all-time greats. But I will just take one day at a time and be grateful for everything that I have in this present moment.
“I have been a professional for many years so I understand what it takes to go back to the daily routine. It’s a pleasure for me to play tennis; it’s not just a job.”
Reflecting on a stellar summer of success, Djokovic revealed his passion for tennis is burning stronger than ever, while the other flames in his life offer even more inspiration.
“I don’t wake up thinking of the things I feel obliged to do, I feel really excited to go out on the court and practice,” he insisted.
“It has been my life ever since I was four, five years old so the wedding and everything that happens in my private life can only serve as an additional motivation and inspiration for me to play better tennis.
“It’s been a great month and a half and I have tried to cherish every moment and experience, first at Wimbledon and then of course the wedding a few days after that.
“I have plenty of joy and I am full of happiness, full of positive energy which hopefully I can transfer onto the tennis court in this US Open hardcourt season.”
Having lost the 2013 Wimbledon final to Andy Murray, Djokovic returned to London with added impetus and the 27-year-old believes the nature of his triumph - beating Federer 6-7 6-4 7-6 5-7 6-4 in a thrilling finale – makes his latest Grand Slam one of his greatest achievements to date.
“Wimbledon is the most important tournament in the world, the one I have always dreamed of winning,” he admitted.
“2011 was the highlight of my career, by far my best year of my career, but I think winning Wimbledon for the second time this year is even more special considering the circumstances I was in.
“I had mental obstacles to overcome and challenges to face in order to reach that level and the way I won the title, with so many five-set match-up especially the one against Federer, that is the best quality tennis I have played in a Grand Slam final.”
Watch Novak Djokovic warming up for the US Open at the Rogers Cup, live on Sky Sports from August 4-10
