Novak Djokovic targets Roland Garros and Olympic titles to improve on ‘close to perfection’

Novak Djokovic lifts the ATP World Tour Finals trophy after his straight sets win over Roger Federer. Tony O'Brien / Reuters

Novak Djokovic has set his sights on surpassing his almost perfect year by winning the only two major titles to have eluded him — the French Open and Olympics.

Djokovic enjoyed a fitting finale to the best season of his life as the Serb defeated Roger Federer 6-3, 6-4 to win the ATP Tour Finals for a record fourth successive year on Sunday.

But the 28-year-old is far too competitive to rest on his laurels and he is already setting goals to keep him motivated in 2016.

His primary aim is to finally end his wait to win the French Open, which remains the one grand slam title to elude him after he suffered a third Roland Garros final defeat at the hands of Stan Wawrinka earlier this year.

And his secondary mission comes in Rio de Janeiro when he will go in search of a first Olympics singles gold medal after winning bronze in Beijing in 2008.

“Roland Garros is always one of the biggest challenges I have every year, but it’s not the only one. There are the Olympic Games that are happening every four years,” Djokovic said.

“Obviously we have to be honest that there is more importance to grand slams and the Olympic Games.

“Next year is going to be very condensed in terms of scheduling. I will try to do as well as I’ve done in the last couple of years, always peak at the right moments and always try to perform my best at the biggest events.”

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Djokovic’s masterclass under the dome of London’s O2 Arena brought him an 11th title at the conclusion of arguably the greatest run by any male player.

He won 82 of his 88 matches, reached a record 15 consecutive finals, lifted the Wimbledon and the Australian and US Open trophies, as well as earning six Masters 1000 titles, and collected over $17 million (Dh62.4m) in prize money.

As he reflected on that incredible haul, Djokovic said it was close to perfection.

“It’s been a great season with many highlights. If I can, I would pick the Grand Slam wins, especially the Wimbledon and US Open,” he said.

“Overall it’s been as close to perfection as it can get. Obviously sitting here with this trophy alongside me, I couldn’t ask for a better finish.

“I’m just blessed and overwhelmed with the emotion and the thrill to be achieving such a great season.

“It inspires me even more to keep on going and hopefully playing on this level in the future.”

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Djokovic’s fifth Tour Finals crown was secured in suitably imperious style as he brushed aside Federer after crushing his old rival Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.

After spending the start of his career labouring his the shadow of those two greats, Djokovic said he owed much of his success to his desire to prove he was on their level.

“Those two rivalries made me a better player, the player I am today, no doubt,” he said.

“They made me understand what I need to do both on and off the court to be able to be in this position now.”

Djokovic finds himself in the conversation as one of the greatest of all-time.

He needs one more Tour Finals title to catch record-holder Federer and seven more Grand Slams to catch the Swiss great’s record-breaking total of 17.

“Obviously with the wins I had this season, I put myself in a very good position, knowing that I made a lot of records and history,” Djokovic said when asked if he was motivated by his place in the pantheon of legends.

“Of course, I care about it. It does inspire me.

“I’m convinced with this dedication to the sport, I can achieve more. How much, I don’t know.

“I don’t have a sense of urgency. I just try to be in the moment and see where it takes me.”

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