ATP Dubai: Deeply relaxed Novak Djokovic fights for fifth desert title
Novak Djokovic will be on tour again for the first time since the Australian Open at the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai.
by Jörg Allmeroth from Dubai
last edit: Feb 24, 2020, 01:47 pm
Novak Djokovic looked deeply relaxed when he sat down with international press representatives before the first rallies at the "Dubai Duty Free Championships". Why not, this question is obvious, after all, Djokovic has not yet lost a competitive game this year, he won the premiere of the ATP Cup with his Serbian team and then also the Australian Open as a lone fighter.
“I can see for myself that I just feel good on the pitch at the moment. As always, victories nurture confidence. And this self-confidence leads to new victories, "says Djokovic," However, this story can, just as everyone knows in tennis, play just as well the other way round. " next tests of the season: “I want to continue riding the wave of success, no question. I want to continue to add more now. "
Djokovic on Federer: "Tennis needs him"
The best thing would be on the golf course, where the 32-year-old has held the winning trophy four times. Djokovic came to Dubai for the first time in 2007, at that time he reached the quarter-finals, a year later he moved up to the last four. And then he won the tournament three times in a row, from 2009 to 2011. He also replaced the permanent winner Roger Federer in Dubai, the new desert king was temporarily named Djokovic.
Three years ago, Djokovic was last guest in the megacity, but an eye infection prevented his start at the last second. It was a surprising retreat similar to that of Federer, who announced last week that he would be out of competition for about four months because of a knee operation . “It came as a surprise to me too,” said Djokovic, “that he had physical problems that was registered in Melbourne. But this pause was unexpected. "He hopes for a swift recovery process for the Swiss, says Djokovic," because tennis needs him. Roger is Roger. "
However, Djokovic is equally professionally ambitious to want to steal Federer again when his comeback starts. The Serb could catch up with Federer even more with further Grand Slam victories, at the moment Djokovic holds 17 titles and Federer 20. The experts give the 32-year-old the best chance again in Wimbledon, but the US Open could also be his successful track again . Djokovic describes his drive simply: “I go to every minute of tennis, whether in training or in the game, with the aspiration to want and need to improve. You always learn, you can never step on the spot. This work is an eternal process, an adventure too. "
Second round duel with Kohlschreiber?
Djokovic also spoke about higher tennis policy, discussions about tournaments and dates. And he left no doubt that he will use his opinion and influence to change the infrastructure just at the end of the season and the start of the season: "In the long run, it cannot be that we only have a good four weeks break between the series, between the Davis Cup and the ATP Cup. I will not play at both events in the long run. These tournaments have to be brought together anyway. But best sooner rather than later. "
In Dubai, Djokovic will meet 36-year-old Tunisian Malik Jaziri on Monday. In the second round there could be a duel with Philipp Kohlschreiber - the German will face Egyptian Mohamed Safwat in his opening round.