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TURIN. — Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic said there is no “end zone” for his career after becoming the oldest ATP Finals champion on Sunday, matching Roger Federer’s record six wins at the season-ending tournament.
Experience triumphed over youth as the 35-year-old easily dispatched 23-year-old Norwegian Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3 in Turin.
“There is no end zone, as they call it in American football. I don’t feel I have thoughts or ideas about how I want to end my career,” the 21-times major winner told reporters.
“I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that what I hold in my mind is a huge hunger still to win trophies, make history of this sport, compete on the highest level all around the world, bring good emotions to sports fans, tennis fans. That’s what drives me a lot.”
Djokovic is one major win behind Spain’s Rafael Nadal, who holds the outright record with 22 Grand Slam titles.
The Serbian was unable to compete at the Australian and US Opens this year due to his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
“I have a lot of different motivational afactors,” he said. “And I don’t lack any motivation for the moment.”
Meanwhile, Ruud believes this year was a positive surprise despite several final losses including Sunday’s ATP Finals decider and said he still had not reached his full potential. Ruud lost 7-5, 6-3 to Djokovic in the ATP Finals title match after the Serbian harnessed his mighty forehand to break Ruud in the fourth game of the second set.
The 23-year-old Norwegian has had a great year — reaching his first Masters 1000 final at the Miami Open before making it to the French Open and US Open finals.
“Overall, if you gave me the offer to end the year at No. 3, play the finalsa that I’ve played, on 1 January this year, I would probably sign the contract right away. No doubt about it,” Ruud said at a news conference.
“I feel like, of course, I’ve been playing great tennis this year, but I still feel like I haven’t maybe peaked or played hopefully my best tennis of my life so far.”
Ruud is aiming to start the new year on a high as more eyes will be on him after a successful 2022.
“I look forward to going to Australia and starting a new season. I look forward to playing best-of-five sets again. I think for the Australian Open I can say I’m already hungry to have a good result and let’s see how next year plays out,” he said.
“I mean, I don’t play tennis because I want the media to write good (things) about me or write that I won or whatever. I play because I love competing. I love to try to win. That’s what I have to focus on.”
The Australia Open starts on January 16 in Melbourne. — AFP
Online Reporter