Djokovic eyes French Open crown
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Left: Novak Djokovic of Serbia kisses his trophy after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain in the Madrid Open final on Sunday. Djokovic dethroned clay king Nadal on the Spaniard's home soil and maintained his perfect season when he beat the world No 1 7-5, 6-4. Right: Nadal looks at his trophy for second place. Juan Medina / Reuters |
Red-hot Novak Djokovic is greedily eyeing Rafa Nadal's French Open crown after humbling the Spanish clay king and world No 1 his own soil to win the Madrid Masters title on Sunday.
The Serb's 7-5, 6-4 triumph, his 32nd consecutive win since the start of the season, was his first against Nadal on clay in 10 attempts and sets him up handily for a tilt at the only Grand Slam played on the red dirt starting later this month.
"Probably because of my winning streak and because I am in the shape of a lifetime I am one of the favorites to win the title," Djokovic said at a news conference when asked about his chances at Roland Garros in Paris.
"But Rafa has only lost one match there and I think he is still right up there above everybody else," the 23-year-old Australian Open champion said.
"It is my goal to try to go all the way at Roland Garros and I am definitely setting my form up for that tournament.
"I just started the claycourt season. It was a perfect start and I need to really stay dedicated and focused."
As well as the Australian Open and Madrid, Djokovic's run in 2011, the best season start since John McEnroe's 42-match streak in 1984, has netted him Masters titles in Indian Wells and Miami, where he beat Nadal in both finals.
He looks far sharper and balanced than the player who once suffered regular mid-match slumps and said the change was down to hard work and the support of his coaching and fitness team.
"I am trying to just stay dedicated and focused on what I do," Djokovic, whose career has moved to another level since his inspirational role in helping Serbia win the Davis Cup for the first time late last year, said.
"There are no secrets, things came together for me," he said. "I am a more mature player and a more mature person so I know what to do on the court."
Incredible run
He said he was not thinking about when his winning streak might come to an end.
"I know this run I have is really incredible but I try not to think about how long it's going to go and when I am going to lose," he said.
"It's about how many more wins I am going to have. I try to think about winning."
Djokovic, the current No 2, is also on course to take top spot in the rankings from Nadal, who is defending thousands of points over the coming months after a spectacularly successful 2010.
The Spaniard appeared to have already resigned himself to dropping off the summit.
"The No 1 ranking is not in danger, the No 1 has already gone," the 24-year-old said.
"You must be doing something very good if you are winning every match," he said.
"When he plays with that confidence he is very difficult to beat. He was always very good I think, I don't think he has improved anything huge recently."
Djokovic said he was not letting himself be distracted by the possibility of topping the rankings for the first time.
"Obviously if I keep on winning I am getting closer to the No 1 spot but I am trying not to think about that at this moment," he said. "I know that if I am to reach it I will have to play consistently well week after week because that is what Rafa will do."
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