Elusive French Open is next Djokovic target
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, January 29, 2013
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Novak Djokovic hands out chocolates to journalists during a press conference after his Australian Open final victory over Andy Murray in Melbourne on Sunday. |
In years past, Novak Djokovic marked his victories at the Australian Open with rowdy late-night celebrations and bleary-eyed photo shoots the next morning in downtown Melbourne.
This year's win made history but inspired a more sober reaction.
After beating Andy Murray to become the only man to win three consecutive Australian Open titles, the No. 1-ranked player had no time for immediate celebration.
Instead, he booked an early Monday flight home to start getting in shape for his next challenge: the claycourts of Europe.
He's got the Davis Cup next weekend and a few months away is the French Open - the one major that has eluded Djokovic. He now has six grand slam tournament trophies altogether, including four overall from the Australian Open and one each from Wimbledon and the US Open in 2011. He came close last year at Roland Garros but lost in the final to claycourt master Rafael Nadal.
"Of course, I want to go all the way in the French Open," Djokovic said at his post-match news conference just after midnight.
His goal for the year is a big one, he said, when asked if he would choose a Roland Garros title over his No. 1-ranking.
"I'll take everything," the 25-year-old Djokovic said. "I have no reason not to be confident in myself."
Djokovic never lacked self-confidence and his dominating performance at the Australian Open showed just why.
The elite group Djokovic heads includes No. 2 Roger Federer, No. 3 Murray and Nadal, whose creaky knees caused him to sit out this tournament and yield his No. 4 ranking to David Ferrer. Djokovic beat Ferrer in an 89-minute semifinal he said he played "perfectly."
The 17-time grand slam champion Federer, 11-time major winner Nadal, Djokovic and now Murray have combined to win 33 of the past 34 majors.
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