Novak Djokovic’s champion’s mentality was proven on Sunday after he received the Rolex Paris Masters. As joyful because the Serbian was to assert his record-extending seventh title on the season’s ATP Masters 1000 occasion, he was clearly hungry for extra.

“It is nice, but it surely’s already behind me. I am very after all happy with the achievement however I am already turning the subsequent web page. That is, fortuitously or sadly, the way in which it really works for me, and the way in which I feel is the proper, so to say, mentality transferring ahead,” Djokovic stated. “As a result of whereas I am nonetheless energetic, I nonetheless need to win extra and I nonetheless need to play on the highest stage. Clearly Grand Slams and Masters occasions are probably the most useful tournaments in our sport.

“So contemplating the circumstances I had within the final seven days, this win has extra weight and extra worth and it is additional candy, notably at this stage of my profession. I do not even know during which stage of my profession I’m anymore, however I feel that each win in a giant event, perhaps the worth is double these days.”

The 36-year-old received three consecutive three-setters to make the championship match, which he received towards former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov in straight units. The 40-time Masters 1000 champion was trustworthy about how troublesome it was to seize the trophy.

“A really difficult week. I feel additionally off the court docket, coping with the abdomen virus that actually took quite a lot of power out of me, however by some means I managed to, I assume, discover this additional power when it was most wanted, notably within the days of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the place I used to be in all probability nearer to shedding these matches than successful,” Djokovic stated. “So contemplating what occurred within the final six, seven days, this win is certainly some of the particular wins within the Masters 1000 class.”

Djokovic defined that he’s “feeling nice” bodily after working arduous since his final look, which got here in Davis Cup the week after he received the US Open.

“Nevertheless it was this virus that was actually the most important opposition this week when it comes to me feeling nicely on the court docket. That was one thing that’s sort of excellent, that’s not one thing that I am usually encountering,” Djokovic stated. “So I needed to take care of that together with my crew. There was clearly 24 hours actually targeted on making an attempt to get me recovered and ready for the subsequent match. It is superb that I used to be capable of really feel this manner at the moment, contemplating I had three days in a row, three matches of three hours, three-setters. I am actually joyful for that.”

MAGNIFICENT 7⃣🏆@DjokerNole defeats Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 to seal a record-extending SEVENTH @RolexPMasters title!#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/sgCEaRd4ac

— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 5, 2023

Regardless of not competing for a month and a half getting into the event and the struggles he went by means of event, Djokovic as soon as once more discovered a solution to emerge victorious. He has now received 18 consecutive matches and is 51-5 this season, in accordance with Infosys ATP Stats.

“Folks anticipate you to all the time be at your greatest, to be all the time reaching the finals, I imply in my case. I am glad that that is the case, that individuals sort of see me as one of many foremost favourites in each single event. However on the similar time, we’re additionally human beings that must take care of various things off the court docket, whether or not it is health-wise, feelings, or no matter is occurring in your personal life,” Djokovic stated. “So all of it has an impact on how you are feeling on the court docket and the way you carry out. Yeah, I attempted to do my highest this week and I feel I’ve accomplished beneath the circumstances. Did I play my greatest tennis? I do not assume I performed my greatest tennis.

“In each match really, my stage was to not the extent that I usually would play the most important tournaments. Nevertheless it’s a type of weeks the place you simply have to just accept the circumstances and battle to outlive one other day.”

Djokovic did greater than survive — he captured his 97th tour-level title. Now he’ll put together for the Nitto ATP Finals, the place he’s a six-time champion. The Serbian is tied for probably the most trophies in event historical past with Roger Federer.

“I had the right rating in Torino final 12 months, 5 out of 5 matches. I like taking part in there. I feel I join nicely with the Italian crowd,” Djokovic stated. “I am going there with good emotions, with quite a lot of confidence. I have not misplaced a match since Wimbledon last, so I am actually excited to hopefully end off the season on a excessive.”