Novak Djokovic eyeing place in history

World number one Novak Djokovic says he wants to seal his place in the history books by overhauling rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serbian has his sights set on topping the charts for career Grand Slam victories as he gears up for the US Open next week.

Federer currently leads the way for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles, having scooped 20, while Nadal sits two further back. Djokovic, who has triumphed at the Australian Open and Wimbledon this season, sits four adrift of Federer with 16 to his name.

He is heavily fancied to end this term with 17 ahead of taking to the courts at Flushing Meadows to defend his crown. The 32-year-old admits it is an ambition of his to reel in Federer and Nadal and insists his focus has changed over the past few years.

“It’s still a very long way ahead of me,” Djokovic, who is priced at 2.20 to win the US Open, said. “It does also put a certain level of responsibility to me as well, because I am aiming to do that. “You know, it’s definitely one of my ambitions and goals, if you want.

“I am 32. So things are a little bit different than they were 10 years ago, but I still feel young inside and outside. And I still am very motivated to keep going and especially at this stage.

“I mean, it’s always been the case but, especially now, more or less everything is about grand slams in terms of how I see tennis and how I approach them because, you know, they matter the most. “So I will definitely try to play my best tennis and aim to play my best tennis at this event.”