Novak Djokovic determined to end up on top

MELBOURNE: Driven by having started out in life with “literally nothing”, Novak Djokovic is determined to end up as the man with the most Grand Slam singles titles when he finally hangs up his racket.

The Serbian claimed his 17th when he beat Austrian Dominic Thiem to win an eighth Australian Open title at Melbourne Park on Sunday. That put him third on the list behind Swiss great Roger Federer, who has won 20, and Spaniard Rafa Nadal, who has 19.

Djokovic said he was mindful that he, 38-year-old Federer and 33-year-old Nadal were being hunted down by a younger generation of players led Thiem, Alex Zverev, Stephanos Tsitsipas and Daniil Medvedev.

The 32-year-old says, however, that careful career management will mean he can keep challenging for the game’s major prizes and said finishing with more of them than Federer and Nadal was his goal.

“I’m not going to lie to you and say it’s not, of course it is,” the world number one told reporters in Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens on Monday.

“I understand that I’m not in my twenties so obviously things are a bit different and I have to be just more precise and more organised in my preparations for the Grand Slam and prioritise these tournaments.

“I’m thrilled to be in a position to be in the mix for most Grand Slam titles at this stage of my career and professionally that’s what matters the most.” Agencies

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