Monday 23 March 2015 16:10, UK
Novak Djokovic says he is at the prime of his career after successfully defending his Indian Wells crown against Roger Federer to claim his 50th career ATP title on Sunday.
The world No 1 is now tied with 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer for the most men's titles in the California desert with four wins following his 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 6-2 success on Sunday.
It was another epic struggle in a long list of hardcourt battles between the two top players in the world, who have met 38 times with Swiss great Federer still holding a slight 20-18 edge.
Djokovic had lost his last two matches to Federer in straight sets after beating him in last year's Wimbledon final. The five-time Australian Open winner also needed three sets to beat Federer in the 2014 Indian Wells title match.
But after the clash, the top-seeded Serb felt that he fully deserved his win against one of the greatest of all-time on the big stage.
"If you look at the big picture, I thought I deserved it in a way, because I really fought for it," said Djokovic. "I am at the prime of my career. I am going to use every part of this fact to stay where I am and to fight for as many major titles as possible.
"I don't think these challenges that I go through and the pressure that I feel are harming me or that I find it difficult. It is a privilege because I earned it."
I am at the prime of my career. I am going to use every part of this fact to stay where I am and to fight for as many major titles as possible.
Djokovic, who blasted eight aces, 26 winners and broke Federer five times in front of a crowd of about 15,000 inside the Tennis Garden stadium and surpassed his coach Boris Becker (49) to become the 12th player in Open Era history with 50 ATP Tour titles.
Watch all the action from the Miami Open, live on Sky Sports 3, starting on Wednesday 25 March.
