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The 28-year-old Serb has enjoyed an astonishingly consistent
year, winning three of the four grand slams, narrowly missing
out on a first French Open, and scooping six of the year's
Masters Series titles.
His 78-5 record this season is comparable to Roger Federer's
2006 campaign (92-5) and John McEnroe's in 1984 (82-3) in terms
of domination.
The question is how will he back it up next year?
That's simple, according to Djokovic, who begins at the
season-ender with a Sunday afternoon clash with Japan's Kei
Nishikori, who he beat in last year's semi-finals in London.
"I'm in love with the game and it's not difficult to prepare
myself in the off season and to set new goals," Djokovic told
reporters on Friday after a practice session overseen by coach
Boris Becker and the rest of his team.
The first of Djokovic's 10 grand slam titles came at the 2008
Australian Open and he had to wait three years until his next
one -- after which the floodgates opened.
Whereas he used to look vulnerable in long matches and
occasionally retired hurt in the heat of battle, Djokovic these
days looks invincible physically and mentally.
There is no secret, Djokovic insists.
"I've been through a process of evolution and I feel like I've
learned a lot mentally how to handle situations on the biggest
stages when I play against my biggest rivals," Djokovic said.
"I've found a formula that works.
"I've developed and emphasized certain training routines on the
court and my fitness routine as well has changed, not
drastically, but we've found an optimal training system and a
program that works.
"There is not a single thing that I can say is the secret, an
elixir or potion, I've realized a holistic approach to life and
tennis helps me and gives me the best results."
Djokovic faces a tough group with six-times champion Roger
Federer and powerful Czech Tomas Berdych, as well as Nishikori,
but even with the round-robin system allowing some margin for
error, Djokovic wants perfection.
"Of course it gives you an option to survive the group stage
with lost matches but I'm not considering to lose any matches,"
he said.
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; editing by Toby Davis)
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