Novak Djokovic Enters Dubai As First Step In Winning Paris

Written by: on 25th February 2013
Belgium vs Serbia
Novak Djokovic Enters Dubai As First Step In Winning Paris

epa03564328 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball to Olivier Rochus of Belgium during their Davis Cup World Group First Round match between Belgium and Serbia, in Charleroi, Belgium, 01 February 2013. EPA/JULIEN WARNAND  |

Novak Djokovic enters the Dubai Open trying to keep a tight rein on his dream of fulfilling his Grand Slam destiny and completing his matched set of major with a Roland Garros title in June,

“I’m keeping my mindset as simple as possible,” said the Australian Open winner whose only activity on court since his third title in a row in Melbourne was one quick Davis Cup singles win. “I’m only looking ahead to my next match, that’s how I want to keep things.”

Djokovic is holding off the temptation to dream about a Paris title, with the French Open the only major that he has not won. And he doesn’t want to tempt fate, but might be able to imagine success with the form of longtime clay dominator Rafael Nadal a huge question mark as the Spaniard struggles to come back after seven months of knee injury absence.

“I’ve gotten better on clay, though it’s not my most successful surface,” said Djokovic. “But to do anything I’ll need to be physically fresh. Madrid and Rome Masters 1000s back-to-back are difficult and then comes the Grand Slam, where the atmosphere and tension are totally different. Things start to change as you approach a Grand Slam.”

Djokovic, who went on a tear in 2011 with a record win streak and titles in three of the four majors, was brought down to earth last season with only an Australian trophy to call his own. He believes that in some ways, 2013 is much easier to deal with than 2012. “Following up 2011 was going to be impossible and finishing 2012 on number one was a big success. After that, there is less pressure on me. I feel great and I’m ready for new challenges.”

©Daily Tennis News

Topics: , , , , , ,








10sBalls Top Stories

In Case You Missed It

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA thumbnail

EUGENIE BOUCHARD NAMED 2018 TENNIS CANADA FEMALE PLAYER OF THE YEAR / EUGENIE BOUCHARD NOMMÉE JOUEUSE DE L’ANNÉE 2018 DE TENNIS CANADA

Tennis Canada announced on Wednesday that Eugenie Bouchard is the winner of the 2018 Excellence Awards in the Female Player of the Year and Singles Player of the Year categories.
TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • CALIFORNIA CHAMPIONSHIPS • TOMMY HAAS, TAYLOR FRITZ, STEVE JOHNSON, MARDY FISH AND MORE

Time to get tickets to watch! Surly you have heard about The Largest Open Tennis Event in America!
TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER thumbnail

TENNIS NEWS • RAFA NADAL CONFIRMS RETURN TO PRACTICE, EYES ABU DHABI EXHIBITION AND AUSTRALIAN SUMMER

According to Uncle Toni, Rafael Nadal was supposed to be back at practice on either Dec. 4 or 5. Well, better late than never!
Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife thumbnail

Conchita Martínez prepara la temporada 2019 de Karolina Pliskova en Tenerife

Española y checa ya trabajaron juntas durante el pasado Open de Estados Unidos
ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS thumbnail

ALEJANDRO’S FAVORITE PHOTOS FOR 10SBALLS FROM SOME OF THIS YEAR’S TOURNAMENTS

Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia hits a forehand to Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during her second round match at the Nature Valley International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, Great Britain, on Tuesday, June 26, 2018.