"I think he's trying to finish with the most Majors, I don't think No. 1 ranking means the same to him" -Sports journalist Russ Thaler on Novak Djokovic
On the latest episode of Inside In, sports journalist Russ Thaler claimed that Novak Djokovic's main priority right now is not the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings but to finish his career with more Grand Slam titles than Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
After losing to Jiri Vesely in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tennis Championships on Thursday, Novak Djokovic will be dethroned from the World No. 1 spot next Monday. He will lose his position to Daniil Medvedev, who will become the 27th ATP player to climb to the top spot.
Incredible!
Jiri Vesely improves his h2h vs. Novak Djokovic to 2-0, beating the Serb 6-4, 7-6(4) to reach the semifinals in Dubai.
Djokovic loses his world number one spot next Monday for the first time since january 2020.
Daniil Medvedev is the NEW WORLD NUMBER ONE! https://t.co/3EreQJFlXh
Congratulations to @DaniilMedwed, who will rise to world No. 1 on Monday. ⭐
Medvedev will overtake Novak Djokovic for the top spot after the Serbian was defeated by Jiří Veselý, 6-4, 7-6 (4), in Dubai:
Thaler highlighted that while Djokovic is "mindful" of the fact that he is no longer the World No. 1 player, it is no longer a "priority in his career" to remain in the top position.
According to the journalist, Djokovic is diverting all his attention to catch up to Nadal in the Grand Slam race after the Spaniard won his 21st Major at the Australian Open in the absence of the Serb. Thaler also believes that another one of Djokovic's goals is to win more Masters tournaments on the ATP tour.
“I think he’s trying to finish with the most majors…I don’t think the number one ranking means the same to him.” 🤔
@RussThaler joins Inside-In to discuss @DjokerNole's goals after losing the Number 1 Ranking to @DaniilMedwed.
Full Episode -> dcs.megaphone.fm/ADV8242974952.… https://t.co/JCHdCVnqZh
"He is mindful of it because I think he respects Daniil Medvedev. That's become plainly obvious in the last week because everyone is asking about it. I think he respects the grind, that Daniil, and that No. 1 ranking," said Thaler.
"I don't think that's his priority in his career. It does not seem that way to me. I think getting back ahead of Rafa and Roger in the Majors' count, I think, and maybe winning more Masters. But I think Novak is really, he is doing what Roger started a few years ago, where it was like, let me really hone in on, what my goals are," added the journalist.
Thaler concluded by saying that having already achieved the record for most weeks (361) at the World No. 1 spot, Djokovic will now be looking to end his career with more Majors than his two rivals.
"It seems to me that number one, look, he's got the record for the most weeks at No. 1. So what's he trying to do, pad that number? I think he's trying to finish with the most Majors between Rafa and Roger and himself. I don't think that No. 1 ranking means the same to him," concluded Thaler.
Novak Djokovic to be uncrowned from the World No. 1 spot after holding it for 86 consecutive weeks
Djokovic will lose the top spot in the ATP rankings after keeping it for a period of 86 straight weeks (not including the 22 weeks during which the ATP froze the rankings).
.@DjokerNole kicks off his 360th career week at No. 1 today, and 85th straight week.
He's the first man in ATP rankings history to have two stints of 85+ straight weeks at No. 1 (he had a 122-week run at No. 1 from 2014 to 2016).
Djokovic returns to action in Dubai next week.
Djokovic surpassed Nadal in points and acquired the World No. 1 ranking in February 2020 after lifting his 17th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. During his reign as the highest ranked player, the 34-year-old won three Grand Slams and three Masters titles.
@DjokerNole
Celebrating our #AusOpen 2020 champions 🎉
🏆 @DjokerNole
🏆 @SofiaKenin https://t.co/fzO7rPasRc
Also Read: 3 wins over Roger Federer, 4 wins over Rafael Nadal and 7 titles: Throwback to Novak Djokovic's epic 41-0 start to the 2011 season