Novak Djokovic makes more than enough talking points on the court, but he has also mastered the art of making even more in his media briefings.
Djokovic eased past Grigor Dimitrov to claim a record-extending seventh Paris Masters title on Sunday.
After needing three sets to win each of his previous three matches, the world No 1 found the going more straightforward in the final as he saw off the Bulgarian 6-4, 6-3.
It was also the Serbian’s 40th Masters 1000 crown, another record, and his 97th on the ATP Tour.
After battling sickness all week to overcome a strong field and confirm his status as the undisputed No 1 in men’s tennis, Djokovic used his media appearances after the match to make some telling points.
While he did not mention his great rival Rafael Nadal directly, some of Djokovic’s comments in Paris were clearly referencing some contentious comments made by the Spaniard in his interview with Movistar+ in September.
Nadal claimed Djokovic wanted to secure the biggest records in tennis in a “more intense” way than he did and suggested that may be why he is set to finish his career with the most Grand Slam titles.
“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 comments did not appear to be welcomed by Djokovic, who responded with the following remarks: “I’ve seen that his comments went viral, that many people spoke about it.
“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.”
Now he has expanded on those words, as he insisted he is not trying to hide his desire to cement his legacy as the greatest player of all time, as he suggested others “pretend” not to be motivated by the record books.
“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 eyeing up one of the greatest records in tennis, with his win at the Paris Masters bringing him to within 12 titles of Jimmy Conners, who holds the all-time record with 109.
“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.”
The Djokovic winning machine continues to roll and he is showing no sign of slowing down at the age of 36.
