Novak Djokovic reveals big Rafael Nadal aim after US Open final win
NOVAK DJOKOVIC isn’t ruling out surpassing Rafael Nadal for the year-end world No 1 spot.
Djokovic clinched his third US Open title on Sunday night with a straight-sets victory over Juan Martin del Potro - 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.
The victory ensured Djokovic’s second Grand Slam of the season and lifts him to third in the world rankings after they were published on Monday.
With Nadal relinquishing his crown after a semi-final exit at Flushing Meadows in which he was forced to retire due to a knee injury against Del Potro, the Spaniard is just 2,315 points ahead of Djokovic.
It is possible that the Serbian, should he go all the way in the Masters 1000 series events in Shanghai and Paris as well as the World Tour Finals in London, could get back to No 1.
The 31-year-old last scaled the peak of men’s tennis in 2016 and has spent a total of 223 weeks in his career at the top.
Novak Djokovic is just over 2,000 points behind Rafael Nadal in the world rankings (Image: GETTY)
Having become only the eighth player in the Open era to achieve a Wimbledon/US Open double, Djokovic has been sublime over the past few months.
When asked about his thoughts on his season to date, Djokovic said: “If you told me in February this year when I got the surgery that I'll win Wimbledon, US Open, and Cincinnati (becoming the first man to win all the Masters titles), it would be hard to believe.
"But, at the same time, there was always part of me that imagined and believed and hoped that I can get back to the desired level of tennis very soon.
"I expected, to be quite frank, after surgery that I'll be back on a high level quite fast. But it took me actually three, four months.
“In that process, I learned a lot about myself, learned to be patient, which was never really a stronger side of me.”
And Djokovic thinks he can overtake Nadal, but he isn’t getting ahead of himself.
He added: “I try to keep my both feet on the ground. I love this sport.
“As long as there is that flair in me, I really will keep on going. I still feel it.
“I still have a lot of passion. I think more than passion, it's just the will to work and to be dedicated every day."
