By Erik Gudris | Sunday, November 9, 2014
Once again, Novak Djokovic is the man all eyes are on at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.
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The current World No. 1 finds himself a changed man from 12 months ago when he last lifted the coveted year-end title. As before, Djokovic relied on a strong end to the regular season to propel him into the winner's circle in London. This year however, Djokovic enters London with several new additions to his on-court team and his off-court life.
By adding Boris Becker as his coach, Djokovic sought to improve his mental outlook and ability to beat the very best at the elite stages of the sport. His second Wimbledon title over Roger Federer boosted Djokovic back into the No. 1 ranking this summer. Soon after that monumental victory, Djokovic married his long-time girlfriend Jelena Ristic who by then was also pregnant with their first child. Ristic gave birth to their son Stefan only a few weeks ago.
Even with his new priorities at home, Djokovic remains focused on his final event of the season. And he has good reason to feel confident about his chances. The Serbian star enters London on a 27-match win streak in indoor matches. That included earning a rare title repeat win at the Paris Masters where along the way Djokovic collected an impressive 600th career victory.
“It started in China,” Djokovic said to ATP.com. “Now I’m in a good place. I’m fighting for (the year-end) No. 1 in the world. I won this tournament two years in a row. It gives me enough reason to do well this year."
Yet, Djokovic admitted that his new son gives him a new focus and desire to win that is different.
"First tournament back and I won Paris. We should be making more kids in the future," Djokovic said. "It was a fantastic week. Hopefully I can follow up on that. Certain things change psychologically. When you’re playing for someone and that someone is your son, it’s a new motivation.”
Djokovic may be the favorite based on his recent success and past results in London. Yet, Roger Federer looms as his stiffest challenge not only to the title but also the year-end No. 1 ranking depending on how things play out over the next week. Djokovic has the fate of the top ranking in his own hands though.
Should Djokovic win his three round robin matches, the year-end No. 1 ranking is his no matter what Federer does.
Djokovic is also chasing more history in addition to the year-end No. 1 ranking. If Djokovic wins London again, he will be the first man too pull off a London three-peat since Ivan Lendl turned the trick 27 years ago in1987.
While a Djokovic versus Federer final is what many hope for, that potential showdown is not a given. While many feel Djokovic was given an easier group in the round robin stage, he still has to get through the group. Should Djokovic suffer a surprise upset, it would place more pressure on him not only to clinch the year-end No. 1 but also add more intrigue to his expected appearance in the final.
Despite a season filled with triumph, some disappointments, but overall a superb addition to Djokovic's career, "Nole" is ready to add one more definitive closing chapter to a remarkable year. He will have to compete against the very best to do it, but perhaps the only man who can stop the "Falcon" from rising about the field again in London is Djokovic himself.
Season Highlights:
Win/Loss Record: 57-8
Winner: Indian Wells, Miami, Rome, Wimbledon, Beijing, Paris
Best ATP World Tour Finals Appearance: Winner (2013, 2012)
Photo Credit: Getty