Challengers often talk of blocking out the champion standing opposite.
With a record as unparalleled as Novak Djokovic’s on Rod Laver Arena that has often proved easier said than done.
But regardless of how much the nine-time winner’s aura may already have affected his opponents at this year’s Australian Open, it is abundantly clear the Serbian has raised his game in pursuit of another Norman Brookes Challenge Cup.
There is a bigger number at play this fortnight.
The chance to level and eventually surpass Rafael Nadal’s benchmark of 22 majors is the overarching objective.
“It does keep me going, of course,” Djokovic told ausopen.com. “I'm trying to balance things out between the professional goals that I have and it's always highest goal for me, you know, trying to reach another title.
“I have plenty of success in Australia, so that obviously feeds on my motivation and inspiration always to perform at my best, knowing if I've done so well in the past and also, kind of a private mission of why I keep on playing tennis, which is personal, which is joy and love for the sport and passion really with my family, my closest people in my life… and hopefully sharing [those] good vibes with people watching me play.”
Djokovic’s cause received a boost when defending champion Nadal limped out in the second round against Mackenzie McDonald.
The Serbian had his own hamstring concerns, but after his past two performances, in which neither Alex de Minaur nor Andrey Rublev could muster a set, the fourth seed said it sent a message to the remaining three contenders.
“With this kind of game, of course the confidence level rises… I feel good on the court, better and better as the tournament progresses,” he told reporters.
“I've been in this situation in so many times in my life, in my career, never lost a semifinal in Australian Open. Hopefully that will stay the same.”
The Serbian enjoyed a taste of life at the top – albeit shared with his great adversaries Nadal and Roger Federer – two years ago, when he drew level with them on 20 Grand Slam titles at the All England Club.
He slipped two behind in the tally last year after Nadal swept the opening two majors of the season, but following his seventh Wimbledon triumph, he stands poised to once again match the Spaniard.
“It's amazing. I mean, it feels like that every match is a historic match at this moment, particularly for Rafa and myself,” Djokovic said.
“I think we are very privileged to be in this position, both him and I… pushing each other to the limit to see how far one or the other can go.”
Every time Djokovic has ventured beyond the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park, he has gone all the way.
Unseeded American Tommy Paul faces the considerable task of snapping that run in the semifinals, and if he can’t it will be up to Stefanos Tsitsipas or Karen Khachanov in the final.
https://ausopen.com/articles/news/it-keeps-me-going-nadal-rivalry-driving-djokovic-on
Rafa has 14 at FO, he wants to extend that record to make it safer.
Posted by: O | 01/27/2023 at 01:20 AM