MONACO (AP)—Novak Djokovic has defeated Rafael Nadal twice this year tohold a 24-0 record in 2011. He now has to find a way to beat the No. 1 player inthe world on Nadal’s favorite surface.
Although Djokovic is 0-9 against Nadal on clay, he is relishing thechallenge against the five-time French Open champion after beating him inback-to-back hard-court finals at the Sony Ericsson and BNP Paribas Open afterfalling a set behind each time.
“Important for me, mentally,” Djokovic said Sunday. “I have thisself-belief that I can win against him in finals, which I didn’t do in the pastcouple of years.
“If I want to have a shot at No. 1, I will have to play consistently wellin major tournaments because I know Roger and Rafa will do that if I don’t.”
The 23-year-old Serb is off to the best start to a year since Ivan Lendlswept his first 25 matches in 1986. He has won 59 of 65 sets and four tournamenttitles on three continents, including the Australian Open, to take the No. 2ranking from Roger Federer—the last player to beat him.
“I believe this year I’m a different player by all means. I think I’mphysically very fit, very fast,” Djokovic said. “I feel more powerful on thecourt overall, and the confidence I have is at the highest point possible.”
That confidence will be tested when he meets Nadal on clay. But that testwill have to wait after Djokovic pulled out of the Monte Carlo Masters with aknee problem.
Djokovic expects to be back practicing next week before playing at theSerbia Open in Belgrade later this month.
“Not a major issue in the knee but a discomfort that I carry with me forthe last three months,” Djokovic said. “I’ve been wearing the tape for everytournament I’ve played since Australia. More for prevention. I’m confident witha bit of rest it will go away.
“I was really looking forward to continue that run on the clay-court seasonhere in Monte Carlo. I think I have enough quality to compete with the best onclay as well because I have done that in the past. In 2009, I had a greatclay-court season, played a couple of finals against Nadal.”
Federer has lost his past three matches to Djokovic and isn’t surprised byhis rival’s form.
“I always said it over and over again—to me, he didn’t need to prove hispoint,” Federer said. “By winning a second major, winning back-to-back Masters1000s, going on a streak like he’s doing right now, I knew he could do it.
“It focuses on something very positive in the game. There’s been differenttimes when we talked about gambling, doping, other stupid things that areannoying to talk about. This is something very positive.”
An entertainer on court, Djokovic had still been prone to sudden bouts ofanger during matches. He controls his temperament much better now and creditsleading Serbia to win the Davis Cup over France in December as a major turningpoint.
“It was the best feeling I have experienced on the tennis court. Ever. Youare not representing yourself, you are playing for your country,” Djokovicsaid. “It proved to be a crucial win in Belgrade. From there, I didn’t lose amatch.
“It gave me a lot of good energy, positive encouragement and boost,” headded. “Even though the offseason was very short, I was eager to come back andplay more tennis.”
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