Novak Djokovic admits his latest defiant comments may be viewed as arrogant

Novak Djokovic’s desire to achieve more and more in tennis shows no sign of waning and he has opened up on how he remains motivated to carry on winning.

Djokovic has achieved so much over the course of his career, with 24 Grand Slam titles and his record-breaking run as world No 1 certain to see him end his career as the undisputed greatest player of all-time.

The Serbian great is back in Australia seeking a remarkable 11th title at the first major tournament later this month and he has opened up on how he maintains his motivation.

“Well, that’s kind of a mindset that I nurtured over the years,” said Djokovic, as he was asked to explain his motivation.

“Might seem unrealistic or impossible to some. It might seem arrogant to some others. I don’t know.

“I know that I’m a very all-around player. When I’m fit, when I’m at the peak of my performance, I can win any slam or any tournament. I know that. I’m not afraid to say that.

“It’s not a secret that I want to break more records and make more history of the game. That’s something that keeps on motivating me. I mentioned a little bit, I mean, five minutes ago, that Grand Slams, Olympic Games, hopefully I can win another medal for Serbia in the Olympics. I would love to do that. That’s one of the highest goals for this year.

“As I said, I have been in this kind of situation so many times in my career. I know exactly what I need to do to maintain my body and mind and spirit in the right, optimal state for me to have the opportunity to break records and to go further.”

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Djokovic went on to explain he will have to consider his future in the sport if he loses any of his appetite to take on players who are eager to knock him off his perch at the top of the game.

“It’s the only way, to be honest,” he continued. “I enjoy playing tennis, don’t get me wrong. When it comes to professional tennis competition, leaving my family to travel somewhere for four, five, six weeks, eventually for me there’s only one direction or one goal that is in my mind, which is winning the trophy. I do everything possible to achieve that,” he added.

“I feel like that kind of mentality, all I have been doing for the last 20-plus years on a daily basis, of course with my team and family, have helped me to reach the heights and be where I am. That mentality is not changing for 2024 or any next year potentially that I play.”

Djokovic also spoke about his ambitions to end his long wait for an Olympic gold medal in Paris this summer.

“Hopefully I can win another medal for Serbia in the Olympics. I would love to do that,” he added. “That’s one of the highest goals for this year.

“I have been in this situation so many times in my career. I know exactly what I need to do to maintain my body and mind and spirit in the right, optimal state for me to have the opportunity to break records and to go further.”