Novak Djokovic tells the story of his childhood dream steadily. As a seven-year-old, he needed to win Wimbledon. Little did that younger boy know that he would accomplish a lot, far more.

When the Serbian ultimately launched into his skilled profession, Pete Sampras’ males’s singles report of 14 main titles loomed giant. Djokovic’s chief rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal loomed even bigger.

After successful his fourth US Open trophy on Sunday by defeating Daniil Medvedev in straight units, Djokovic now owns 24 Slam crowns and exhibits no indicators of slowing down.

“To be trustworthy with you, I used to be most likely not considering so intensely and concretely in regards to the historical past of the weeks at No. 1 or most Slams till perhaps three years in the past,” stated Djokovic, who on Monday begins a record-extending 390th week atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. “Then I realised, ‘Okay, I am fairly shut for weeks in No. 1. I even have a reasonably good probability on the Grand Slams if I preserve wholesome and if I am taking part in properly.’
In fact the Slams at that time appeared somewhat bit much less reachable than weeks of No. 1, however I believed. I believed that I am going to make it.

“I do not put any quantity proper now in my thoughts on what number of Slams I need to win till the top of my profession. I do not actually have any quantity.”

Djokovic has gained a report 12 majors after turning 30, and 7 of the previous 10 Grand Slam tournaments he has performed. For somebody who as soon as thought successful one Wimbledon title was a lofty purpose, why put a restrict on what he may obtain?

One among Djokovic’s solely stumbles over the previous few years got here within the US Open last two years in the past towards Medvedev, the identical participant he defeated Sunday. Making an attempt to turn into the primary man since Rod Laver in 1969 to assert all 4 majors in the identical 12 months, the Serbian faltered and misplaced in straight units, taking part in removed from his greatest tennis.

“I actually did my greatest within the final 48 hours to not permit the significance of the second and what’s on the road get to my head, as a result of two years in the past that is what occurred, and I underperformed and I wasn’t capable of be at my greatest and I used to be outplayed,” Djokovic stated. “So I discovered my lesson. My crew, my household knew that the final 24 hours, do not contact me, do not converse to me in regards to the historical past of what is on the road.

“I actually did my greatest to maintain issues fairly easy and keep on with the routines that introduced me to the place I’m and deal with this match actually as some other match the place I simply have to win.”

Novak Djokovic counts 4 US Open titles from 10 finals amongst his 24 main trophies.” />
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Djokovic did simply that. The match was far nearer than the 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-3 scoreline, although. Medvedev’s technique of dragging out factors appeared to pay dividends midway into the second set, when the eventual champion started exhibiting indicators of fatigue.

“I do not assume I’ve ever performed an extended set in my life, significantly not on this event towards a high participant like Daniil,” Djokovic stated. “I believe he was most likely a greater participant within the second set. He deserved to win that set greater than I did. In some way I managed to show issues round within the tie-break. When it mattered I put one ball into play greater than he did. And that was sufficient.”

Djokovic added: “Actually, within the second I felt like I used to be shedding air on so many events, and my legs, as properly. I do not recall being so exhausted after rallies actually as I’ve been within the second set.”

One among Djokovic’s huge needs was to be competing for and successful main trophies when his youngsters had been sufficiently old to grasp the magnitude of such an accomplishment. His son, Stefan and daughter, Tara, had been each within the crowd. Because the pivotal second set neared the two-hour mark, Djokovic discovered motivation in seeing his daughter courtside.

“She was going through me after I was sitting on the bench. And he or she smiled at me. Each single time I wanted, I assume that type of harmless youngster vitality, I received it from her. After I was going via the very anxious moments, significantly within the second set after I wanted somewhat little bit of a push of energy, of simply lightness, I assume, she gave me a smile, a fist pump,” Djokovic stated. “She was into it. It is so humorous to see that and so attention-grabbing to see that she’s six years previous, my son is 9, and so they had been each there. They’re each conscious of what is taking place.”

As soon as Djokovic earned a two-set lead, he discovered his legs once more and surged to the end line inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. For the fourth time in his profession, Djokovic claimed three majors in a single season. He got here only one match brief — shedding a five-set thriller within the Wimbledon last — of finishing the Grand Slam.

“These are the moments and these are the type of feelings that I inspire myself with each single day after I’m not taking part in a event. Yeah, often [I am] asking myself, ‘Why do I want this nonetheless at this stage in spite of everything I’ve completed? How lengthy do I need to preserve going?’” Djokovic stated. “I do have these questions in my head, in fact. However figuring out that I play at such a excessive degree nonetheless and I win the most important tournaments on this sport, I do not need to do away with this sport or I do not need to go away this sport if I am nonetheless on the high, if I am nonetheless taking part in the way in which I am taking part in.”

Djokovic’s purpose firstly of the season was to attempt to win all 4 majors, however he stated he would have signed for successful three of 4 and reaching the Wimbledon last. The issue for the remainder of the ATP Tour is that the 36-year-old exhibits no indicators of slowing down. 

“Finally sooner or later I’ll go away tennis in about 23, 24 years. And there may be going to be new younger gamers developing,” Djokovic stated, cracking a smile. “Till then, I assume you will see me a bit extra.”