Novak Djokovic doesn’t feel any different as he chases Grand Slam No 24

Novak Djokovic feels that his semi-final win over Jannik Sinner was much closer than the score suggests.

The Serbian defeated the young Italian in straight sets but just ten points split the players on the day.

He said there were plenty of times when Sinner put him under pressure but he couldn’t make it count.

Djokovic said that this is the key to tennis, taking the opportunities when they present themselves.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Djokovic said: “Each set was closer than it appears maybe on the scoreboard.

“I knew that he is going to try to be aggressive and hit from both forehand and backhand quite flat and fast, so I needed to be really sharp from the beginning, which I think I have.

“I think I found the right shots at the right time. Serve was kind of going up and down, but I managed to make him play always an extra shot, especially towards the end of the match.

“Yeah, he basically made some unforced errors to give me the victory in the tiebreak. Also he was two set points up in the third. But that’s tennis, obviously. That pressure point moments, it’s not easy to play the shots that you desire.

“So it was, of course, great for me that I was able to finish the job in straight sets.”

Djokovic said that he doesn’t feel any different as he chases a record 24th Grand Slam title as he is always focused on winning tournaments and winning all his matches.

“To be honest with you, I don’t feel much difference,” Djokovic added in the media briefing.

“Ambition is always the highest for me: always to win the title. It’s not changing regardless of the place in history books.

“Maybe some people think that it would be a huge relief for me winning Roland Garros, being the only men’s tennis player with 23 slams. It’s not.

“I mean, pressure is there. It’s still very high. I still feel goosebumps and butterflies and nerves coming into every single match. So I’m going to be coming into Sunday’s final like it’s my first, to be honest.

“I don’t want to approach that finals in any more relaxed way than I have previous ones, meaning the intention needs to be clear. Goal and approach will be as serious and professional as it has been always.

“Not much difference for me there.”

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic breaks record for most Grand Slam final appearances with victory over Sinner