ATP: “I really want this” – Novak Djokovic believes in the Grand Slam record

Novak Djokovic can look back on a fantastic season despite losing the final at the ATP Finals in London. In Wimbledon and New York he won the Grand Slam trophies 13 and 14. Now the Serb even dares to set Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record.

The Swiss has celebrated 20 major triumphs in his career so far and leads the eternal list of the best ahead of Rafael Nadal (17) from Spain and Novak Djokovic and Pete Sampras (14 each). But because of the self-confidence they have regained, “Nole” has the confidence to break the 37-year-old’s record.

“Yes, I believe in it,” the industry leader replied to the question from Sportski Zurnal whether he could win 20 Grand Slam titles. “I don’t know if it’s gonna happen. But I’m confident it could be. I really want this,” Djokovic continues.

The successes in London and New York in 2018 enabled the joker to make up some ground for his two permanent competitors, but the task for the 31-year-old will by no means be easy. Both Federer and Nadal continue to play at the highest level and have won three major victories each in the past two years.

Federer in particular was largely spared injuries. A fact that the Serb will also need if he wants to seriously jeopardize the maestro’s record. “First, it depends on how long I’m gonna play. And secondly, we have to see how long I can act at this level and how my body and mind can endure it. At the moment I believe that I have very good prospects with all these things”, explains Djokovic.

Coach Marian Vajda sees the same thing in his conversation with Ubitennis: “His body is even more unusual than that of Federer. If he wants, he can win many more great titles.” Djokovic’s self-confidence came primarily from his five-set victory over Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon semi-final: “After this match, the fear was blown away.”

Despite his existing optimism, the world number one himself is quite pragmatic: “Time will tell whether I can achieve this incredible goal.” Until then the tennis fans can look forward to many more epic duels between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.