Novak Djokovic says breaking Steffi Graf’s file of 377 weeks at primary within the rankings on Monday is “surreal” and that he’s proud to surpass one of many sport’s all-time greats. The Serb will spend his 378th week on the prime of males’s tennis competing in Dubai, the place he’ll play his first match since capturing a tenth Australian Open crown and record-equalling twenty second Grand Slam title final month. “I still want more achievements,” Djokovic informed reporters in Dubai on Sunday. “I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else.
“Of course, it is surreal in a strategy to be that many weeks world quantity, to match Steffi Graf, who is among the all-time greats of our sport, each women and men. Just being amongst these legendary names is flattering. I’m very pleased with it.”
Undefeated in all 12 matches he has contested so far this season, Djokovic says he has been pain-free for the past week, having recovered from a muscle tear in his left hamstring he had sustained in Australia.
“I’m getting nearer to one hundred percent. Still not there by way of the sport itself, how I really feel on the courtroom. But the vital factor is that there is no such thing as a ache. I haven’t got a hindrance to the way in which I transfer on the courtroom,” declared the 35-year-old.
Djokovic will begin his Dubai campaign against Czech qualifier Tomas Machac on Tuesday, where the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Andy Murray are also expected to take the court.
Murray, who is one week older than Djokovic and has been the Serb’s rival since their early teen years, is coming off a stunning week in Doha, where he battled through four three-setters before losing to Medvedev in the final.
It has been a theme for the British former world number one, who also put on heroic displays at the Australian Open last month.
“What is occurring now this yr together with his match factors saved in actually each match he performs, the quantity of hours he spent on the courtroom for the reason that starting of the yr, notably in Australia, is simply one thing you will need to admire and say ‘chapeau’ due to all the pieces he has gone by together with his hip,” said Djokovic of Murray.
– ‘Great guy Murray’ –
“You have to notice that he has a man-made hip and he is shifting the way in which he does. He’s continually trying to enhance and to get again to the best stage, which it looks as if he is been doing. He’s simply rising within the rankings. The stage is best and higher.
“I’m very happy for him because he’s a great guy, respects the sport, works very, very hard. So very committed, he deserves his success.”
Djokovic has additionally been being attentive to the latest exploits of Chinese gamers on the ATP tour.
There are two Chinese males ranked within the prime 100 – Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen – with teenager Shang Juncheng not far behind.
Djokovic stated he at all times knew it was solely a matter of time earlier than China’s males made their means up the rankings the way in which Chinese girls have on the WTA tour.
“I’m happy for China’s tennis. It’s important. It’s important that a country like China is doing well in men’s tennis, as well. I think for us globally, as part of tennis ecosystem, it’s great news,” he added.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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