“Are you the best player in the world?” Novak Djokovic was asked at a press conference after his victory in the final of the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals. “I am the fifth best,” the Serb replied with a laugh, but when he took the matter more seriously, he continued: “In my mind I always see myself as the best player in the world, of course.”
Although his sixth title at the Nitto ATP Finals, which equals the record for most crowns in the tournament’s history (held by Roger Federer), propels him to finish the year at No. 5 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, the Serb still feels in its best possible version.
Still 35 years old, and still 2,000 points behind World No. 1, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz. “I have that kind of mindset and that kind of focus. Regardless of who is on the other side of the net, regardless of what the surface is, regardless of what season it is and what number of the pro season in my career, it’s always the same.
The ambitions are as high as possible”. This kind of approach every time he competes has allowed him to go undefeated this week in Turin, making him the first player to win the Nitto ATP Finals in three different cities and in three different decades.
And, according to ‘Nole’, believing himself to be the best in the world every time he plays does not reflect a lack of humility. “I have no problem verbalizing that I have big goals, that I want to be the best, that I want to win all the tournaments.
I don’t think that’s not being humble, I just feel like it’s important to respect everyone in the game, but still have confidence in yourself,” the 91-time ATP Tour champion explained. That great confidence in himself, however, does not mean that ‘Nole’ is without doubts when he is on the track.
Ivanisevic praises Nole Djokovic
Goran Ivanisevic mentioned Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon victory but deemed the Serb’s ATP Finals victory “the most special” after the roller-coaster season. “Because of everything what happened this year, with Wimbledon this year…
But this one is special. Very tough year. To finish the year like this, to win tournament like this after how many six years he won a Masters? I call it Masters, now it’s ATP Finals,” he said. “I think somebody from upstairs look at all this year and say, ‘Okay, you going to win the year like this.’
He deserve it. Nobody knows how was it to be him, to be the part of the team, was not easy year. But paid off,” he said.
