In an exclusive interview with NDTV, world number 1 Novak Djokovic stated that setting a new milestone of the most weeks as the world’s number one, was something he had been dreaming of since he had a child. Started playing tennis as On Monday, the Serbian superstar surpassed Roger Federer, setting a new 311-week record as the number one in the world in the ATP rankings. Djokovic won his 18th Grand Slam title and his ninth Australian Open crown in Melbourne last month.
“This achievement (standing by the greats of tennis) is something I dreamed of when I was a kid starting playing tennis. It’s a tribute to the love and commitment to the sport. And I hope that I I can continue to play and play on it. Level because the thirst for competition and professional tennis is still part of the world, “Djokovic told NDTV in an exclusive interview.
“I am probably still not fully aware of what this represents, because I am still with that little kid who is a tennis racket who is excited to go to the next challenge and play the next tournament and There is still drive and motivation, which is to feel amazing, ”he said.
Djokovic talked about his journey in war-torn Serbia and how it made him “more hungry to represent my country”.
“I think we all go through different difficulties in our lives. My journey was not easy, but it made me stronger. We had two separate wars in the 1990s. Growing up in a war-torn country was a challenge. . Hungry to represent my country – to send a message of peace and love and passion and happiness, “said the 18-time Grand Slam champion.
The 33-year-old also revealed that long-time rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal inspired him to become a better player.
“Those two guys (Federer and Nadal) are the ones who inspired me to be a better player. These two guys have been so special in my career. It’s difficult to choose one of them, because I always have to compete against both. Have had to. They were so influential and consistent. “
He made the top 100 debut in July 2005, just weeks after Nadal won his first Roland Garros.
He was in the Top 50 in June 2006, the Top 20 for the first time in October 2006 and the Top 10 as of March 2007.
Promoted
Djokovic became the world’s number one player at the age of 24 on July 24, after winning Wimbledon for the first time, defeating Nadal in the final.
(With AFP inputs)
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