Novak Djokovic Makes Grand Prize A Priority

Written by: Staff on 29th January 2012

Novak Djokovic Makes Grand Prize A Priority

epa03084825 Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses the winner's trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain in their men's single final match at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 30 January 2012. Djokovic won in five sets. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

( Courtesy of the ATP – Original Link: http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2012/01/4/Australian-Open-Final-Djokovic-Reaction.aspx )

Novak Djokovic says, “I’m prioritising Grand Slams this year… and [the] Olympic Games,” after he lifted his fifth major championship on Sunday at the Australian Open.

“I want to do well and I want to get [my] first final, at least, in Paris [at Roland Garros]. I have never been in [a] final there, and I have a feeling that I’m ready this year to achieve that.”

Rod Laver, the 1962 and 1969 Grand Slam champion, who watched the final as a special guest at Melbourne Park this year, was the last player to win all four major championships in one calendar year.

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Djokovic, who won his seventh straight final over Nadal for his third Australian Open trophy, admitted it was these kind of matches that he lived for.

“I’m a professional tennis player. I’m sure any other tennis player would say the same: we live for these matches. We work every day. We’re trying to dedicate all our lives to this sport to come to the situation where we play [a] six hour match for a Grand Slam title.”

When he was asked whether he felt sorry for Nadal, Djokovic said, “I was in that position a couple years ago, losing most of the semi-finals and finals against him and Roger [Federer] … so I know how it feels.    ”Unfortunately there had to only be one winner because we both gave it all. We both put 100 per cent of our abilities on the court and played to the last moment. Unfortunately there couldn’t be two winners, but he definitely deserved to be a winner as well tonight. I would be saying same thing if I [was] sitting here as a loser.”

Djokovic will next month look to his fourth straight title at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. He admitted, “I’m going to have some weeks off now, and I’m going to try to enjoy this victory as much as I can. Then [it’s] back to office, back to work [and] preparation. There is much that awaits me, but I definitely should enjoy the present moment.”

Topics: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal