Novak Djokovic sounds a Davis Cup rallying cry for Serbia as he outlines his next dream
Novak Djokovic has admitted he is facing a huge challenge as he aims to end his year on a high by winning the Davis Cup with Serbia.
The world No 1 arrived in Malaga hours after he claimed his record-breaking seventh ATP Finals win in Turin last Sunday, completing a stunning year that also included Grand Slam wins at the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
Now Djokovic is ready for what he describes as ‘one last push’, as he prepares to lead Serbia into battle against Great Britain on Thursday.
The British team has been depleted by injuries to Dan Evans and Andy Murray, with Cameron Norrie and Jack Draper set to lead their challenge.
They also have elite doubles players to call on in Neal Skupski and Joe Salisbury, with Djokovic suggesting the depth of their squad, even in the absence of Murray and Evans, ensures the British team are a huge hurdle to overcome.
“Great Britain has so many options, you know, for both singles and doubles,” Djokovic told a press conference in Malaga.
“I know that, you know, Andy Murray and Evans are not here, and obviously they have been contributing to qualifications for the Last 8 in September.
“But still, Great Britain is a very strong team in this format. If we split single matches, then we’re getting into the doubles where they have the best players in the world, Skupski and Salisbury.
“They have so many great players, it’s difficult for them to choose who to put on the court.
“We are a team that, as you can see here, we don’t have any doubles specialists, but, you know, we rely on singles, but if it comes to doubles, we are also ready to pair up in the different combinations and give it all.
https://twitter.com/DavisCup/status/1727315898149839346
“I remember we played in Belgrade. It was in the second Euro/African Group, zone, whatever it was called at the time.
“I couldn’t be happier with the way I performed in the semifinals and finals of Torino, so hopefully I’m carrying this kind of, yeah, basically energy and performance level to the Davis Cup.
“I’m with the team. I’m grateful to be once again in the national team. As I said many months ago, actually the beginning of the season, that Davis Cup, you know, has been and is one of my greatest goals of this season and always is. Hopefully I will be able to contribute to win.”
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Djokovic also looked back over his Davis Cup story with Serbia, as he is hoping to win the title for the second time after he helped his nation to glory in the World Cup of Tennis back in 2010.
“So Davis Cup has been historically the most important team competition for nations in tennis. You know, over a hundred years old,” he added.
“It is the most important one to win for any tennis nation in the world. So hopefully, yeah, almost 20 years later, we can have a chance at the title.”
Djokovic has won his last 20 Davis Cup singles matches and has not lost a one-on-one battle in the competition since 2011.
If he can take that record to 23 straight wins, Serbia may well be celebrating another Davis Cup triumph in Malaga.
It would also help him compete a year to remember by adding glory for Serbia to his own list of remarkable achievements.
