NOVAK DJOKOVIC EAGER TO COMPETE

Written by: Staff on 8th November 2014

BNP Paribas 2014 Masters Tennis Tournament

NOVAK DJOKOVIC EAGER TO COMPETE

epaselect epa04473481 Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning the final match against Milos Raonic of Canada at the BNP Paribas 2014 Masters tennis tournament in Paris, France, 02 November 2014. EPA/IAN LANGSDON |

( Original Link and Courtesy of the ATP: http://m.atpworldtour.com/News/Tennis/2014/11/45/London-Finale-Djokovic-Preview.aspx)

With the final tournament of the 2014 ATP World Tour season just two days away, Novak Djokovic is looking ahead to a potentially historic week at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

It has been 27 years since Ivan Lendl achieved the last three-peat at the season finale, winning three consecutive titles from 1985-87 when the event was held in New York City, and Djokovic finds himself on the precipice of joining the Czech in the record books. The Serb, who is also vying for a third year-end No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings in four years, acknowledges there is plenty on the line as the season reaches its conclusion.

“It started in China,” said Djokovic, referring to his recent run of form that included titles at the China Open and BNP Paribas Masters. “Now I’m in a good place. I’m fighting for (year-end) No. 1 in the world. I won this tournament two years in a row. It gives me enough reason to do well this year.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during a quarterfinal match against David Ferrer of Spain at the Shanghai Tennis Masters in Shanghai, China, 10 October 2014. EPA/DIEGO AZUBEL

“It’s the last tournament of the season. Only the best eight players in the world play here. It’s a unique format, round robin, that we don’t have on the Tour at all. It’s the crowning achievement for all players here and they all want to finish in the best possible way. That’s why every match that you play in the group is like playing in the semi-finals or final of a Grand Slam.”

On 22 October, Djokovic’s wife Jelena gave birth to their first child. The 27 year old believes the arrival of baby Stefan gives him new motivation to fight ever harder and he says he understands the responsibility of managing a professional career and being a father. Djokovic recently received parental advice from a familiar source: father of four Roger Federer.

“Yes, of course, we spoke in Paris and he’s one of the first players that congratulated me and wished me all the best,” Djokovic added. “He can identify with what I’m going through. I’m still far from him with four kids. It’s pretty amazing to play at such a high level. I understand what an effort it is with one. With four I can’t imagine. We talked in China, in Paris about what it takes to be traveling and I’m taking it into account. Hopefully I can organise my life as well as he did.

“My wife and I had hat blessing of becoming parents recently and it’s the most beautiful thing we could experience. First tournament back and I won Paris. We should be making more kids in the future. It was a fantastic week. Hopefully I can follow up on that. Certain things change psychologically. When you’re playing for someone and that someone is your son, it’s a new motivation.”

Djokovic opens Group A play in Monday’s evening session against Marin Cilic. The Belgrade native is a combined 41-5 against the rest of his group, which also includes Stan Wawrinka and Tomas Berdych.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a return to Vasek Pospisil of Canada during a men’s singles match at the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China 01 October 2014. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA