Djokovic: How Federer’s Longevity Inspires

Roger Federer looks up to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the rankings.World No. 1 Djokovic says the 38-year-old Swiss' longevity inspires his potential.More: Roger Rolling in BaselPrior to facing Nadal in a charity exhibition match in Kazakhstan on Thursday, Djokovic told the media both he and the US Open champion are committed to "see how far we can go.""I hope that if we reach Roger's age and we play as well as he's doing at 38 and 39 I think we'll be pretty happy," Djokovic told the media in Kazakhstan. "Tennis is definitely making the most of our lives."Of course being 32 and 33 is not the same like 10 years ago some things are changing with your body. And of course you have to deal with that. But I think we both still love the sport truly. So it's giving us lots of pleasure to be on the tour and be on the highest level and compete and see how far we can go."

"Novak, I'm older than you," the 33-year-old Nadal said prompting laughter from some at the presser.A defiant Djokovic denied two championship points in the final set fighting off rival Federer, 7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 (4), 4-6, 13-12 (3) to successfully defend his Wimbledon title in The Championships' longest final—and first men’s major final decided in a fifth-set tie breaker in July.The 32-year-old Djokovic captured his 16th Grand Slam title at SW19, narrowing the gap on 20-time Grand Slam king Federer in the all-time race.Then Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in last month's US Open final to claim his 19th major crown and move to within one of matching Federer.While tennis fans around the world debate which of the Big 3 will ultimately own the major mark, Djokovic says breaking Federer's record is "definitely" his major aspiraiton."I'm aware of it, of course. I mean, I'm part of this world," Djokovic told the media at the US Open. "Of course I can't completely switch off and eliminate what people are talking about. And it's flattering, obviously. But at the same time, you know, it's still a very long way ahead of me."It does also put a certain level of responsibility to me as well, because I am, you know, aiming to do that. You know, it's definitely one of my ambitions and goals, if you want."Photo credit: Kazakhstan Tennis Federation ]]>