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For Novak Djokovic and his fans, 2023 couldn’t have ended in a better way. The Serbian fans who flocked to Australia to watch their national team debut at the 2024 United Cup celebrated with a victory just on New Year’s Eve.
After Novak Djokovic’s singles victory and Olga Danilovic’s defeat in the women’s, the pair prevailed in the mixed doubles against China, winning the last point seven minutes before the start of the new year. At the press conference, the world number one commented on his team’s success, also speaking about his personal goals for 2024.
“It was a unique experience. What are the chances of finishing seven minutes before New Year’s Eve? We won in a perfect scenario. The stadium was full of Serbian flags. Everyone chose to celebrate the New Year with us. We are grateful for it.
A wonderful atmosphere,” commented Nole. The 36-year-old Serbian revealed his goals for the next sports season. “I will try to work to achieve the goals I have set for myself. Obviously the Grand Slams, the Olympic Games, playing for my country, the Davis Cup, all these competitions where you represent Serbia are the greatest honor and pleasure.
I will obviously have to work step by step with my body to see how it feels, how it reacts when I change surfaces, what kind of program I have to have to reach the peak at the right time in the most important tournaments,” said the world number one.
A couple of weeks before his debut at the 2024 Australian Open, Djokovic commented on his start to the season in the oceanic state: “I won 10 Australian Opens and also many tournaments before the Australian Open.
I think probably more than 50% of the time I’ve come to Australia, I’ve played some team event as preparation, whether it was the Hopman Cup back in the day, the ATP Cup, now the United Cup. Special and unique opportunities to feel the team spirit, build chemistry, feel a little different.
On Australian soil, for probably different reasons, I always play at my best and feel at my best here. I think one of the reasons is that I want to start the year in the best way possible. It’s important to start in the right way and launch into the rest of the season.”
The Serbian tennis player has everything to go even further into the history of tennis.
First, time. At least two more full years as a professional to improve his score of titles and records. And I believe that adversaries must be added to this. Nole already dominated with Nadal, Federer, Murray and Wawrinka on the court.
Now everything seems even easier for him. If he remains physically intact, for the next two years he will continue to dominate the ATP Tour. The 24-time slam champion finally said he was determined to do even better than last season, in which he won three slams and the Finals.
“This is a kind of mentality that I have cultivated over the years. It may seem unrealistic or impossible to some. To others it may seem arrogant. I have always believed in myself a lot. I know I’m a well-rounded player. When I’m in shape, when I’m at my best, I can win any slam or tournament.
It’s no secret that I want to break more records and make gaming history. It’s something that continues to motivate me. When it comes to competing in professional tennis, leaving my family to travel somewhere for four, five, six weeks, ultimately for me there’s only one direction or one goal that I have in mind, and that’s to win the trophy.
I do everything I can to achieve this goal. I feel like this kind of mentality, everything I’ve done for the last 20 years on a daily basis, of course with my team and my family, has helped me reach the heights and be where I am. This mentality will not change for 2024 or any other year I potentially play,” explained Nole.
