Novak Djokovic reveals ‘key moment’ he started believing he could ‘be better than Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal’

Ewan West
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Novak Djokovic has reflected on a “key moment” in his career that made him start believing he could be better than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and “deserved to be on top.”

The legendary Serbian declared that inspiring Serbia to the Davis Cup title in 2010 was a catalyst for him becoming a “different player.”

Djokovic claimed his maiden Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open and had to wait three years to add his second at the same tournament in 2011.

Prior to Djokovic’s dominant 2011 season, Federer and Nadal had won 16 and nine Grand Slams respectively and had secured 21 of the previous 23 Majors between them.

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Djokovic is looking to win a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title and record-equalling eighth Wimbledon crown this week.

After his fourth round win over Holger Rune, Djokovic looked back on winning his first Grand Slam title and went on to highlight the value of his Davis Cup triumph.

“It was back in 2008, I won Australian Open, that was my first Grand Slam title and, obviously, the first Grand Slam title is always the most special one. It was breaking the ice for me in a way,” the Serb said in a press conference.

“But it took me another three years to win a second one. So, I did struggle those three years to understand, to see what it takes to win against, particularly Nadal and Federer — they were dominating the sport and the game and winning basically all the Grand Slams at that point.

“But I learned the hard way I guess, through the rivalries with these two guys. Was basically improving my game, bettering myself also on the court mentally I think, really maturing, evolving as a person and as a player. And getting stronger as the time was passing by.

“And there were some key moments in my career that served as a great trigger in a positive way. For example, the Davis Cup title with Serbia [at the] end of 2010 was a huge momentum for me.

“I felt wind in my back, I felt like I had wings after that because bringing the first Davis Cup to Serbia ever was something extremely special in front of our crowd in Belgrade.

“After that, I probably had one of, if not the best season of my life [in 2011], won 40 plus matches in a row, three Slams out of four.

“That’s where I really became a different player, I would say. It’s when I started believing that I deserved to be on the top and that I can be better than Federer or Nadal.”

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