“I really want to win every single match and the title,” Novak Djokovic issues warning to his rivals ahead of the Nitto ATP Finals


“I really want to win every single match and the title,” Novak Djokovic issues warning to his rivals ahead of the Nitto ATP Finals
Novak Djokovic is confident of winning the ATP Nitto Finals title this time around

Novak Djokovic, 5 time winner of the ATP Finals, is determined to clinch his 6th title this time, in London. The Serbian has already clinched the year-end ranking of Number one for the sixth time, equaling Pete Sampras’s record. The World number one has enjoyed a great year on tour, winning 4 titles including his 8th Australian Open title. Novak Djokovic, is the top seed at the Nitto ATP Finals and headlines the Group Tokyo 1970, comprising of Schwartzman, Zverev, Medvedev and himself.

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At the tournament’s media day on Friday, Novak Djokovic was optimistic about his chances this year in London and said that he wanted to win every match. “Coming into the tournament knowing I already clinched the year-end No. 1 releases some of the pressure definitely, but at the same time it doesn’t change what I hope to achieve in this tournament and why I’m here,” Djokovic said at the tournament’s media day Friday. “I really want to win every single match that I get to play and try to get my hands on the trophy and I want this trophy as much as anyone here.”

“Diego is in great form this year,” Djokovic ahead of his clash against the Argentinian

Novak Djokovic praised Diego Schwartzman for his form this year

Novak Djokovic will face Diego Schwartzman in his first round robin clash on Tuesday. The Serbian pointed out to the significance of the Nitto ATP Finals and also highlighted what an extraordinary year Schwartzman has had. “The Nitto ATP Finals is probably the biggest event that we have in our sport,” he said. “It’s probably the ultimate challenge in a season: facing the top eight guys of the year in a group stage format… it’s one of the most special events that we have in our sport.”

Speaking about Schwartzman, the Serbian remarked, “He never played on this court but that probably is kind of releasing him from any pressure that he has to do well,” said Djokovic. “Diego is in great form this year, it’s been the best season of his life, he deserves to be part of this tournament. I have lots of respect for him, he’s a fierce competitor [and] one of the quickest players on the Tour.”

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Novak Djokovic suffered a shocking round robin exit from the Nitto ATP Finals after he lost to Roger Federer and Dominic Thiem in 2 of his 3 matches in London last year. He will be hoping to do better this time around, and get off to a winning start against Diego Schwartzman.

Zverev and Medvedev are probably in the best form: Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic will clash against Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev later in the round-robin stage matches. Both Zverev and Medvedev have been in great form at the indoor hard courts this season. The German won back to back titles in Cologne whereas Daniil Medvedev finally found some form as he defeated Alexander Zverev in the final of the Paris Masters last week.

The Serbian was wary of the threats posed by Zverev and Medvedev and also praised them for their performances off-late. He said, “they’ve won two tournaments in a row and played in the finals in Paris. Those guys are very tall and have big serves and lots of weapons from the back of the court, solid backhands and forehands also. They’re complete players both of them and [they have] similar styles. You have to be at your best to win against those guys the way they’re playing indoors.”

The Serbian also spoke about how strange it will be to play without fans, and giving a farewell to the O2 Arena in this fashion. The ATP Finals will be moving to Turin from next year. “Strange to give a farewell to [The O2] without crowds,” Djokovic concluded.

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