Novak Djokovic, in ‘the peak of my career’ knows his pinnacle is unparalleled

Serb says he expects a lot from himself and puts dedication into every aspect of sport. Jon Turner reports from Dubai.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic is careful not to be overconfident as he respects his opponents. Graham Denholm / Getty Images

It should come as no surprise that confidence is not an attribute lacking from Novak Djokovic.

Why should it considering all he has achieved in a career that has cemented him among the greats, and if it continues at the present pace, will propel him to arguably the greatest of them all.

Djokovic, 28, arrives at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week after a 2015 season, and start to this year, that not only proves his dominance of men's tennis, but extended it to previously unseen levels.

To quickly recap, the Serbian world No 1 ended last season with 11 ATP titles, including three of the four grand slams, reached the final of every tournament apart from one, in Doha, and accumulated a win-loss record of 82-6.

This season has started at similarly alarming pace, with two tournaments played and another two titles, including a sixth Australian Open trophy.

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One of the few tournaments Djokovic failed to win last year was Dubai, although with 2015 and seven-time champion Roger Federer absent this week due to knee surgery, the 11-time grand slam winner is the overwhelming favourite to win a fifth title.

If Djokovic’s rivals needed any more reason to fear the world No 1, then hearing about his brimming confidence is unlikely to do them any favours.

“I have to be honest, it doesn’t surprise me,” Djokovic said when asked about his dominance. “I expect a lot from myself, and I put a lot of dedication into every aspect of the sport in order to get the results I’m getting.

“I try to approach each tournament optimistically, and I believe I can win every match that I play against anybody on any surface. The tournaments and results I have had in the last couple of years give me enough reason to be optimistic. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that.

“I try not to be overconfident because I have lots of respect for all the players and I know I am not the only one who wants to be the best in the world.

“But being at the peak of my career in this moment, I’m trying to use this momentum and take everything out of myself to achieve more. To what extent, I don’t know and I don’t want to think about it too much.”

Since his Australian Open triumph, Djokovic has taken time away from tennis to rest, and while his remarkable fitness levels are among his finest attributes, it is being more selective with tournaments that enables him to perform at his pinnacle.

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“I have been spending a lot of time with my wife and my child, leaving the racket on the side. It is important to balance well in order to recharge and to regain that freshness you need to continue at a high level to compete here in Dubai and what’s coming after Dubai,” Djokovic said.

“That is what I have been doing for the last five or six years, following that particular schedule. It is necessary in order to build up the substance needed ahead of a tough three months, with Indian Wells, Miami and the clay court swing coming up.

“Thankfully, I am a father and a husband and already that is a lot of work, but also a lot of pleasure. These three weeks felt like it was more so I’m eager to come back and eager to compete.”

In his first round match, Djokovic will face Tommy Robredo, a player he has beaten in six of their eight meetings, although it was the Spanish 33-year-old that triumphed in their last encounter, in Cincinnati in 2014.

Despite Robredo’s experience and standing in the game, he should pose few problems for Djokovic Monday evening, and given the form and confidence being displayed by the world No 1, neither should the rest of the Dubai field.

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