Novak Djokovic is both talking and walking the talk these days as he knows how to conduct detailed media briefings.
Djokovic breezed past Girgor Dimitrov to seal a record-extending 7th Paris Masters title on Sunday. But it was not easy for the Serbian as he had as each of his last three matches were three-setters which he played with a disturbed stomach.
Djokovic edged the Bulgarian 6-4, 6-3 in a comfortable fashion to conquer record 40th Masters 1000 crown which made it his 97th tour title.
The 36-year-old battled with the abdominal sickness to prevail against a strong field in the Paris draw. As a tour veteran, Djokovic knowns how important his off-court transactions are and he has mastered the art of constructing telling points during post-match press talks.
While he chose to not mention his nemesis Nadal directly, some of his comments clearly fell in the vile ambit of targeting the Spaniard for his earlier remarks – that seemed contentious – he made during an interview with Movistar+ in September.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion said that his Serbian rival is more obsessed with record books than him and suggested that it may be a reason for him to end his career with most majors.
“I am not frustrated (to miss out on the Grand Slam record) for a simple reason – within my possibilities, I have done everything to make things as good as possible,” Nadal explained.
“Yes, you can live frustrated with 22 Grand Slams, for example, Novak lives it in a more intense way. For him, it would have been a greater frustration not to achieve it. Perhaps that is why he achieved it.
“I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics. In that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable. I don’t have an ego big enough to try to disguise a reality.
“This is the truth. The rest are sensations that one or the other (player) may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more.”
Those remarks appeared to be cold for the world No. 1 and he made a moderate comment at that time.
“Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, how he interprets someone else in a certain context etc. That’s all I can say
“Rafa is a great champion and I respect and appreciate him as such – as a great champion, my biggest rival and as a player who contributed to shaping my game and to the results I’ve accomplished.”
The 36-year-old has now who opted to expand the response for another day has uttered it now as he admitted that he is not trying to hide his plans to be the undisputed GOAT of men’s game while claiming that he cannot be pretentious like others not motivated by the records.
“I’m going for all possible records, all that I can break. I’ve never had a problem saying that and that’s why people don’t like me,” said Djokovic in Paris.
“I didn’t pretend like some people.. to say that it’s not my goal, and then to behave differently after. I always tried to be in line with what I believe.”
Djokovic is now set his focus on another greatest tennis record which is legendary American Jimmy Conner’s all-time ATP title tally of 109. With his win at the Paris-Bercy at 97th ATP title, Djokovic is now 12 away from equaling the record that looked unbreakable until now.
“As far as the record for the number of ATP tournaments won is concerned, everything is possible,” he added.
“Why shouldn’t I try to break that record too? Now I have 12 less (than Connors) but I also have a few more years of successful tennis.
“I try to enjoy these moments that now mean and are worth double. When you consider the stage of my life & career that I am in and to win such a big tournament.
“Although it may seem like a routine to people, every win at the Masters & Grand Slam levels really means so much to me.”
Djokovic has displayed in Paris that he is not going anywhere as his remarkable run continues. Taking the momentum from Paris triumph, the 24-time Grand Slam champion will now enter the ATP year-end Finals in Turin to close the 2023 season.