When Novak Djokovic was habitually asked about his further goals for the tennis year 2020 after his last, 79th tournament victory, there was a remarkable moment on the Center Court in Dubai. "I want to remain undefeated for the rest of the season," said the 32-year-old Capitano of the industry after having once again confidently distanced one of the new generation's stars, the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, 6-3, 6-4 in the final. The crowd cheered, Djokovic grinned. Then he added: "It was fun, people. Oh, not really. It's not fun. ”And another grin.

Djokovic, he is also the prankster who thinks nothing bad about plunging fans, media and colleagues into uncertainty. He cannot seriously think of such a bright white season, he knows that it would also be interpreted as merciless arrogance. But that he has high and highest goals for 2020 is undisputed, at least even higher, than to extend his current winning streak of 21 successions since the end of 2019 (18 in 2020) as much as possible.

Djokovic secretly dreams of creating something that no one in the modern age of sports has managed to do, namely getting all four majors in one calendar year - he would be the first and only one to do so after Rod Laver (he won in the pre-professional era) ) would create. "Dreaming is always allowed. The ambition is there, but there is also big, big competition, "said Djokovic," I'm currently very happy in the here and now, I'm enjoying the moment. "Incidentally, he was already the only one to do the four Grand Slams in a row Modern tennis won, albeit in two different game series.

Djokovic on crisis 2018: "moments when you get lost"

It's hard to believe that two years ago Djokovic was in an almost existential sporting crisis and even friends believed that a farewell to the traveling circus was conceivable. In spring 2018, his long-time companion Marijan Vada had to return to the side of the 32-year-old Serb to bring him back on the road to success. "There are moments in your career where you get stuck, mistreat problems, seek guilty parties. And don't start with yourself, ”said Djokovic,“ I've found this great balance in my life and in my sport again. ”Goran Ivanisevic, the headstrong Croatian star of days gone by, is now part of Team Nole, too he stayed in Dubai, a man of clear words: "What Novak shows on the court, how he loves this sport and advertises for it, is incredible," said the "Lord of the Aces", "he would have more respect earned, no question. "

The story that Djokovic is fighting desperately for the recognition and love of the global tennis community seems cold. Yesterday, outdated. Djokovic himself knows that the confrontation with Federer or Nadal is first and foremost a sporty thing, and the “Djoker” clearly has the best cards to finish number one in the big overall calculation. Djokovic was already the dominant player of the decade, he could still dominate the first half of the decade that has now begun. The changing of the guard by the ambitious challengers around Tsitsipas, Zverev, Thiem and Co. does not seem to be imminent, especially Djokovic could add to his account with Grand Slam trophies. And thus also overtake Federer (20 major titles) and Nadal (19), the Serbian currently has 17 Grand Slam successes.

Team Djokovic: fear of a false start in 2020

After the exhausting tennis year 2019, some in Djokovic's team were worried that the 2020 season could be critical - and start with a false start. "There was a huge problem before the first appearance," said one of the Nole team in Dubai, "but then came the win with Serbia in the ATP Cup. And everything has turned. ”Djokovic has not lost a single game so far, in Dubai he fought off three match balls in a magical unleashing act against Gael Monfils in the semifinals , after which he hit another top ten player with Tsitsipas. In general, the victories against the top competition, no one is as ruthless with the worst rivals as Djokovic. He has recorded more than 20 victories against top ten opponents six times in one season, and in 2015 he had a whopping 31 wins against elite players. Of Djokovic's 18 wins in 2020, seven came against top ten opponents. This is called a demonstration of power.

A picture of Djokovic's victory run in Dubai stuck, the picture of an incredible spreading step and balancing act in a duel with Monfils. Not so much acrobatics and artistry was for everyone. On Twitter, a tennis fan wondered, "Isn't he actually an alien?"