Djokovic: "I am motivated to win as many Slams as possible"

Brand new winner of his tenth Australian Open by beating the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, the Serbian Novak Djokovic said this Sunday that is “motivated” to win as many Grand Slam titles as possible after equaling Rafael Nadal’s men’s record with 22.

What emotions did you feel after the victory?

“A huge pride and satisfaction. When I went to my box, I collapsed emotionally, I was shattered especially with my mother and my brother, when I gave them a hug. Until then I did not allow myself to be distracted by things outside the court, dealing with my injury, things off the field that could disturb my concentration on the game. It has taken an enormous amount of mental energy to stay focused, take things one day at a time and see how far I could go. If I throw back two weeks and a half, I didn’t believe in my options because of the way my leg felt. It was just a matter of surviving every game, trying to get it to the next round.”

How much of these emotions were linked to what happened last year (deportation) and the injury? Is it a combination of everything?

“It is. Going back to Australia is something I really wanted because I feel great here. My results attest to that. I really wanted to go back, I wanted to play. But of course, considering last year’s event, I was a bit nervous to come back. I went to Australia, I didn’t know how people would receive me. But in general it was a very positive experience. Of course things happened, also the incident of the last few days with my father, which were not easy for me to deal with, especially in the Grand Slam finals. But I had to hold it back. That’s why I said in the first question that it took an enormous amount of mental and emotional energy to stay focused.”

Does it motivate you to end your career with more Grand Slams than anyone else? Also more than Serena and Margaret Court (who are 23 and 24)?

“Of course I am motivated to win as many Grand Slams as possible. At this stage of my career, these trophies are the biggest emotional factor that I still compete for. It is the case without a doubt. I have never liked to compare myself with others but, of course it’s a privilege to be part of the discussion of one of the greatest tennis players of all time.If people see me like that, it’s very flattering because I put all my effort and energy into trying more Grand Slams than anyone else.I still have a lot of motivation. Let’s see how far it takes me. But I don’t want to stop here.

Two nights ago he said he wanted his father to be in the stands for the final. This has not happened. Can you explain why she didn’t show up in the end?

“I thought things would have calmed down at the media level, but it didn’t. We both agreed that it was probably better that he wasn’t there. That hurts me and him a lot, because these are very special and unique moments. Who knows if they’re going to be repeated. So it wasn’t easy for him. I saw him after the game. He wasn’t in the best of spirits, although he was very happy to hug me and everything. I could see he was a little sad. I’m sad too that he wasn’t there, in the stands. But he was there throughout the tournament, so it’s okay. In the end we had a happy ending.”