Djokovic sets sights on 2019 after ‘phenomenal season’

LONDON: Novak Djokovic set his sights on the Australian Open after a painful defeat in the ATP Finals at the hands of Alexander Zverev took some of the gloss off an incredible season.

The Serbian World No 1 looked unbeatable heading into Sunday’s final, winning all four of his matches in London in straight sets.

But his 21-year-old opponent showed no fear, trading heavy blows with his illustrious opponent from the back of the court and outlasting him in long rallies to win in straight sets.

“Obviously no one likes to lose a tennis match,” he said. “You try your best. But at the same time, as I said on the court, you put things

› Having a Grand Slam (Australian Open) so early in the season makes us train very hard and be aware that we have to be at our best in the first week of the year. NOVAK DJOKOVIC, World No 1

in a larger perspective, see things a bit differently.

“When you get out of this feeling of a little bit disappointment that you lost, I mean, all the positive things that I have to reflect on and also take from this season, especially the last six months.” The 31-year-old started his year with a miserable early exit at the Australian Open, followed by elbow surgery and a string of disappointing results on his return to the court.

But since Wimbledon started he has suffered just three defeats -- including Sunday’s against Zverev -- winning a fourth title at the All England club and following up by securing a third US Open crown to leave him on 14 Grand Slams. “Overall it was a phenomenal season.”

The kind of form he has shown, Djokovic will be the man to beat when the first major of next year comes round in Melbourne in January — a venue where he has won six times. “Having a Grand Slam so early in the season makes us train probably very hard and be kind of aware that we have to be at our best in the first week of the year,” he said.