‘I want Roger, Rafa to keep playing,’ says Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic, who broke the record for most weeks spent at No 1 on Monday, paid tribute to rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

0
2653
Novak Djokovic (right) wants Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to keep playing and pushing him

Having set the record for the most weeks spent at No 1 in the 48-year history of the ATP Rankings, Novak Djokovic spoke about his special rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and how he needed them to push him to do better.

As it happens, Djokovic broke Federer’s record of 310 weeks at No 1 on Monday to re-write history.

“For 15 years we have been pushing each other to the limit and making each other better,” the Serb was quoted as saying by TennisHead.

ALSO READ: ‘I feel like the story is not over yet,’ feels Roger Federer

“We need the rivalries because we need to measure ourselves in a way.

‘How am I doing?’ ‘How is my biggest rival doing?’ If he is doing great, that actually inspires me. That gives me motivation. When I started playing, Roger already had multiple Slams. Rafa as well, and they were kicking my ass for the first five years.

“I was losing most of my matches against them, especially the big ones. And then that changed as we went toe-to-toe, and we are still going toe-to-toe after so many years. I want these guys to keep on playing, because they are one of the greatest sources of my motivation, without a doubt.”

Sharpen your forehand with our FREE guide

Djokovic, who captured his ninth Australian Open trophy and 18th Grand Slam title last month, also holds a record 36 ATP Masters 1000 trophies and first attained the No. 1 ranking on 4 July 2011.

He has since held the top spot in the rankings across five different stints for a record 311 weeks, one week longer than Federer, who broke Pete Sampras’ record of 286 weeks at No. 1 on 16 July 2012.

WATCH: Roger Federer hits the practice courts in Doha

The 33-year-old Djokovic fell as low as No. 22 on 21 May 2018 and returned to the top spot on 5 November 2018.

The Serbian has since spent 88 weeks at No. 1, across two different stints, and last season finished as the year-end No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for a record-equalling sixth time.

ALSO READ: Daniil Medvedev will replace Rafael Nadal as World No 2

“It really excites me to walk the path of legends and giants of this sport,” Djokovic told the ATP.

“To know that I have earned my place among them by following my childhood dream is a beautiful confirmation that when you do things out of love and passion, everything is possible.”

ALSO READ: Ball girl escapes scary incident at Gran Canaria Challenger

LEAVE A REPLY