Novak Djokovic is full of confidence ahead of his debut in the ATP Finals against Kei Nishikori tomorrow afternoon in the opening singles match of the Stan Smith Group at the O2 Arena in London. The World Number 1 comes into the ATP Finals with an impressive 37-match winning streak. He has remained unbeaten in his last 14 matches at the ATP Finals.
This year Djokovic has reached 14 finals winning three Grand Slam titles and six Masters 1000 Tournaments. He lost only the quarter final match against Ivo Karlovic in Doha, the Roland Garros final against Stan Wawrinka and two Masters 1000 finals in Montreal against Andy Murray and in Cincinnati against Roger Federer.
This season Djokovic has recorded 78 wins in 83 matches improving his previous record set in 2011 when he won three Grand Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open).
In 2011 Djokovic won 41 consecutive matches at the start of the season but after his triumph at the 2011 US Open he lost to Kei Nishikori in the Basel semifinal and dropped out of the Paris Bercy Masters 1000 before losing losing two of his three round-robin matches in the ATP Finals in London failing to reach the final.
In 2015 Serbian super-star has won 22 consecutive matches mathces since the US Open.
“After an incredible 2011 season, a lot of questions were raised as to whether I could do something similar. I have proven that I can do it again and I can do it even better. I feel this season is better than 2011, so having that in the back of my mind gives me a reason to keep on going. I am in love with the game. I don’t find it difficult to go out on the practice courts and prepare in the off-season, set up new goals and get as far as possible. ”, said Djokovic
“I feel like I have found the right formula that works for me. I have realised that a holistic approach to tennis and life in general helps me a lot and gives me the best possible results.”
According to Paul Annacone, the former coach of Pete Sampras and Roger Federer, a win against Stan Wawrinka in the Roland Garros final could have raised the pressure on Djokovic ahead of Wimbledon and the US Open.
“Looking at his frame of frame of mind and the way he handled the rest of the year, I think Novak would have been pretty able to deal with it but there is no doubt Novak would have been facing a totally different landscape going into the US Open with the Grand Slam on the line. Look at what it to Serena”, said Annacone
Djokovic will be bidding to win his fifth title in the season-ending tournament. The World Number 1 won in Shanghai in 2008 and three times in London in 2012, 2013 and 2014. He was drawn in the Stan Smith Group against Roger Federer, Kei Nishikori and Tomas Berdych.
“It’s a very special event, organised at a very high level. It’s the crown for all of our achievements this year and this is where it all ends. We all want to finish the season in the best possible way. It is probably one of the most successful last eight events in the history of the sport”.
Djokovic has won 10 Grand Slam titles and this is only the beginning of a bright future.
“It truly motivates me. That’s one of the reasons why Roger is still playing, a couple of years ago when he got back to Number 1 to surpass Pete Sampras. It’s a unique opportunity for you to write your name in the golden books of the history for the sport you play that is so global and so traditional and has been played for over a century. It’s quite remarkable when you think about it. We are in the present moment, so we don’t get to feel it, but we will appreciate it over time.”, concluded Djokovic
