Novak Djokovic Says Supremacy Over Top Three Rivals is No Accident
Novak Djokovic proved too strong for world number two Andy Murray as he won a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title, in straight sets, to propel himself further away from his rivals.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: January 31, 2016 09:08 PM IST
Novak Djokovic revealed he has tailored his game to beat his top three rivals Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray after another dominant Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open on Sunday. (Djokovic Outclasses Andy Murray to Capture Sixth Australian Open Title)
The supreme Serb proved too strong for world number two Murray as he won a record-equalling sixth Australian Open title, in straight sets, to propel himself further away from his rivals. (Murray in Rush 'to Get Home' after Australian Open Loss to Novak Djokovic)
Djokovic equalled the tally of Australia's Roy Emerson and it was also his 11th Grand Slam title, placing him equal fifth on the all-time list alongside Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg, behind leader Federer's 17.
"There's no doubt I am playing the tennis of my life in the last 15 months and results are showing that," Djokovic said.
"I am just trying to keep it up. I don't want think how far I can go or where my boundaries are." (Sania Mirza Describes Australian Open Win as 'Unreal Feeling')
So far this year, after his phenomenal 2015 season of three major titles, Djokovic has hammered Nadal 6-1, 6-2 in Doha, Federer 6-1, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 in the Australian Open semi-finals and Murray 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) in Sunday's final.
And Djokovic, who has been top of the rankings for 182 weeks, said it was no accident that he had won so convincingly against all three of his main rivals in recent weeks.
Djoker's Game Plan
"I prepare myself the best for these three guys - Nadal, Federer and Murray. Those three guys are the biggest rivals I have, and no disrespect to other players," he said.
"Of course it was very pleasing to play the way I played against all these guys.
"Against Nadal (in Doha) it was the best-of-three sets, but here best-of-five. I played amazing first two sets against Roger, then I lost the third, and it was very close in the fourth.
"I think the experience of playing so many matches against these guys, being on the big stage, knowing what's at stake, knowing the importance and value of these tournaments and fighting for the trophy, I think that helps.
"These three guys have been the most dominant ones next to me and I have been trying to analyse my game with my team and try to get myself to a high level.
"When I get to play them I know exactly what kind of game plan to execute."
Despite beating Murray for a fourth time in an Australian final, Djokovic still believes the Scot's time will come.
"You saw how difficult it was for Andy in the presentation ceremony afterwards. I know that feeling, I understand him, I feel for him," he said.
"I know what he has to go through as a player and all the effort and energy he has to put in to get himself to the finals and lose five times in Australian Open finals.
"I sincerely feel that if he continues working on his game he's going to have another crack at this championship."