By Piers Newbery
Novak Djokovic says he will focus on adding to his six Grand Slam
titles, rather than regaining top spot in the world rankings, in 2014.
The Serb, 26, beat world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-4 to retain his
ATP World Tour Finals title on Monday.
And Djokovic, now unbeaten in 22 matches, is targeting a fourth
straight Australian Open title in January.
“The Grand Slams are the tournaments where I want to win, where I want
to get my hands on the title,” he said.
“That will be my highest priority for next year.”
Djokovic lost in the semi-finals at the French Open and the finals of
Wimbledon and the US Open in 2013, before finishing the ATP season
with a superb run.
“It was very satisfying,” he said. “After the last two and a half
months, even more.
“But the only thing I’m not as satisfied about is the fact that I lost
the three big matches in the three Grand Slams.”
Djokovic, who was heading straight from London to Belgrade for the
Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic, paid tribute to an
incredible comeback by Nadal in 2013.
The Spaniard took the number one ranking from Djokovic last month
after winning 10 titles, including the French and US Opens, since
returning from a serious knee injury in February.
“The year-end number one is deservedly in Nadal’s hands because he had
two Grand Slam wins, the best season out of all players, the most
titles,” said Djokovic.
“You cannot question that.”
Looking ahead to the Davis Cup final, which begins on Friday, Djokovic
added: “God knows if we are going to have as a country another
opportunity, another generation like this, to win a Davis Cup title at
home.
“I’m going to do my best to recover the next three days and get ready
for that one.”
Nadal, 27, admitted he had been outplayed on Monday but insisted he
was not upset to miss out on winning the one significant title to have
eluded him.
“That’s the sport,” said the Spaniard. “Seriously, I think it’s not
going to change my career, winning or losing today.
“I will not be a better player, talking about the history, with that
match or without that match. Maybe I am wrong, but that’s my feeling.
“That’s fine. I normally accept very well the losses. I am not very
disappointed.
“I know that I was not the favourite for the match, even if I tried
with the right attitude, fighting for every moment, trying to be
positive in every moment, even if the match was not going the way that
I would like.” – BBC Sports
