Novak Djokovic names two main priorities for 2022 as he eyes Davis Cup glory with Serbia
Novak Djokovic celebrates Serbia's WC qualification
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Novak Djokovic has insisted that he will remain fully focused on winning Grand Slam titles and representing Serbia on the international stage next year. The 34-year-old is currently leading his country at the Davis Cup in Madrid, where he is aiming to clinch his fourth major title since the beginning of this year.
Djokovic has enjoyed a stunning run of form over the last 12 months after getting his campaign off to the perfect start by winning the Australian Open back in February.
He went on to lift the French Open and Wimbledon titles before seeing his hopes of a fabled Golden Slam dashed at the Tokyo Olympics.
The Belgrade native crashed out at the hands of Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals before tasting defeat against Pablo Carreno Busta in the bronze medal match.
Djokovic went on to miss out on a remarkable clean sweep of all four Grand Slam titles back in September, losing to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final.
He is now aiming to end the year on a positive note at the Davis Cup with Serbia, who progressed to the semi-finals with a 2-1 victory over Kazakhstan in their last eight meeting on Wednesday.
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Speaking ahead of Friday’s match against Croatia for a place in the final, Djokovic insisted that he will continue to channel his efforts into representing his country next year.
He also reiterated his desire to win as many individual Grand Slam titles as possible in order to establish himself ahead of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the sport’s most decorated male player.
“I have spoken about the importance of the majors,” said Djokovic.
“I don’t know if you have seen it or heard it, but always when I said what are the biggest priorities for me at this stage of my career, I always said it’s Grand Slams and playing for the national team.
“Those are the two most important goals, let’s say, that I have throughout the years.
“I just feel so much motivation, and I am inspired to be part of the team. As long as I’m healthy, I’ll be there for the captain.
“I’ll try to be available always for the team, because the team competitions like Davis Cup, particularly the Davis Cup, that is the most historic team competition that we have in our sport that is an individual sport.
“Other than Davis Cup you have the ATP Cup, you have the two big competitions for teams that just provoke the most beautiful emotions in me. I’m very motivated to play for Serbia.”
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Meanwhile, it remains to be seen whether Djokovic will be able to cap off his stunning 2021 campaign with an impressive Davis Cup triumph at this year’s edition of the tournament.
Serbia won the top prize back in 2010 and will be looking for a welcome repeat in Madrid with Djokovic leading from the front.
They will face either Germany, Sweden or the Russian Tennis Federation in Sunday’s final if they manage to see off the challenge of Croatia in their last four clash.
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