Serbian’s best start to a year came in 2011 when he began the season 41-0.
After World No. 1 Novak Djokovic claimed his fifth Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships title on Saturday, the on-court reporter asked the champion what specific goals he has for the rest of the season. And perhaps the 79-time tour-level titlist’s response wasn’t what the crowd expected.
“One of the targets is to go unbeaten the whole season,” Djokovic said. “No, I’m kidding. I’m not kidding, actually.”
During Djokovic’s press conference a short time later, a reporter asked the Serbian to set the record straight. Is completing a perfect season truly a goal for him?
“No, no,” Djokovic said, cracking a laugh. “Of course I’m trying to embrace the moment and appreciate where I am. I think this has been one of the best starts of all seasons I had in my career. I feel great on the court. I’ve been playing great tennis on the hard courts. That is my most successful and preferred surface.”
Djokovic has started 2020 by leading Team Serbia to the inaugural ATP Cup title, claiming a record-extending eighth Australian Open trophy and now triumphing in Dubai. He has won 21 consecutive tour-level matches, and is 18-0 on the season.
“I’m just grateful that I’m playing well, feeling well. I’ve won many matches now in a row. I’ll try to keep that run going,” Djokovic said. “It’s just way too early to speak about how long that run might go, the calculations. I try not to think about predictions. I try to focus on what I need to do with myself and my team in order to thrive every day, in order to try to play as best as I can every single match.”
Frenchman Gael Monfils had three match points against Djokovic during the second-set tie-break of their Dubai semi-final. But everything has been going right for the Serbian, who found a way to stave off those chances and reach the final, in which he defeated reigning Nitto ATP Finals champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.
“The season started in the most perfect way possible,” Djokovic said. “I am aware of the fact that most of the matches that I’m going to play, the players will not have much to lose. They will go out and try to play their best and stop the streak. At the same time the more I win, the more confident and comfortable I feel playing the next match and competing and really performing well.”
This is the seventh time Djokovic has earned a winning streak of at least 20 matches. His best start to a season came in 2011 when he went 41-0 — part of a 43-match winning streak — before losing in the Roland Garros semi-finals. So when things are going so well, how does Djokovic stay motivated?
“Motivation never lacks, to be honest, at least in my case. I find motivation in the small things and details,” Djokovic said. “For me the biggest motivation is my self-growth as a player and as a person. Tennis really allows me to have that platform of learning and growing and developing both personally and professionally like nothing else in life. I’m grateful for that.”
Novak Djokovic gives verdict on winning Dubai Championships and extending win streak to 21
Novak Djokovic was understandably delighted to win his fifth Dubai Championships.
Novak Djokovic admits he was feeling grateful to win the Dubai Championships after fighting back from the brink of defeat in the semi-finals. On Friday, Djokovic was forced to save three match points against Gael Monfils before hitting back to reach the final.
And against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic was just too strong in all departments as he completed a 6-3 6-4 win.
It was Djokovic’s 21st consecutive win, dating back to the Davis Cup last November.
And it is his third title of the year following success at the ATP Cup and Australian Open.
After the match, Djokovic hailed a ‘fantastic’ week in Dubai, where he has now become a five-time winner.
He said: “It was a great week. Today against Stefanos it’s never easy, he’s one of the best players in the world and has been on a great run.
“I was fortunate to hold my serve at the beginning of the match. It was really close. One break of serve decided that first set.
“The same scenario happened in the second set as well. It was very close even though it was a straight-set win. It’s been a fantastic week in Dubai.
“Yesterday I was one shot away from losing the match, three match points down. It could [have] easily happened that I’m not here fighting for the trophy today. This is sport, things can turn around very quickly.
“I have to be grateful for this opportunity and appreciate the moment.
“I think I played really well in most of the matches, with some ups and downs which is normal. This is a big win for me.”
For Tsitsipas means it is back-to-back defeats in the finals of Dubai after losing to Roger Federer last year.
“It’s disappointing trying so hard and not really getting the final result that you want,” said Tsitsipas.
“For sure, I would love to see myself holding that trophy. Of course, he gave more than me and he deserves it.”
NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S CAREER WINNING STREAKS
43 matches: 2010-11
28 matches: 2015
28 matches: 2013-14
23 matches: 2015
22 matches: 2018, 2012-13
21 matches: 2019-20
