Novak Djokovic outlines his new ‘main priorities’ after saying the two things he no longer cares about on the ATP tour
Novak Djokovic stormed to a 45-minute Davis Cup victory in his first match since losing in the US Open third round.
Greece are without their talisman Stefanos Tsitsipas whose next event is set to be the Laver Cup in Berlin.
Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning match against Ioannis Xilas of Greece during the Davis Cup World Group I match between Serbia and Greece at…
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Novak Djokovic claims he is ‘done’ with the ATP finals and rankings this year
It’s been a stop-start summer for Djokovic, with major knee surgery in June nearly waylaying his Olympic dream.
A Wimbledon final against the odds was always going to be a footnote in the 37-year-old’s year if he could capture gold in Paris.
With his appearances at tournaments slightly more fleeting, Djokovic has been focusing most of his energy on Grand Slams and representing his country on the international stage.
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“Usually in my career I used to have my schedule ready six months in advance, but nowadays that’s not the case,” he explained.
“Now it’s more spontaneous. Firstly, I need to physically, emotionally and mentally rest in order to even start thinking what I want to do next, in what way, how much and where.
“Torino [the ATP Finals] is not my goal at all, to be honest,” the Olympic champion bullishly revealed. “I am not chasing ATP Finals, I am not chasing the rankings. As far as I’m concerned, I am done with those tournaments for my career. Whether I will play others this year or in the future, I can’t say right now.
“My main priorities are playing for the national team and Slams. Everything else is less important. I said a million times how much it means to play for the national team.
“The way you show it is by, first and foremost, playing for the national team when you get the call, with fight, dedication in both practice and matches.”
The Olympic gold has understandably allowed Novak Djokovic to take his foot off the gas
We’d likely be hearing slightly less liberation from the 37-year-old had he not finally secured the gold medal that eluded him o
n four previous occasions.
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