Novak Djokovic saved two match points to beat Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final earlier this year – but he does not expect that to provide him with any advantage when they meet at the ATP Finals.
World No 2 Djokovic beat Matteo Berrettini in his opening match of the regular season finale this afternoon.
And the 16-time Grand Slam winner will take on Federer on either Tuesday or Thursday, dependent on how the Swiss star fares against Dominic Thiem tonight.
But the Serbian does not believe their recent Wimbledon blockbuster will have any sway on the result.
“I will not expect it, to be honest, because Roger’s experience and mental strength has been almost unprecedented, you know,” Djokovic said.
“He’s one of the greatest players ever to hold the racquet.
“His ability to recover after big losses and, you know, cope with the pressure in tough moments on the court has been phenomenal over the years. I have tons of respect for him.
“I understand that, you know, regardless of the age or surface or whatever it is, when I play Roger, I know he’s going to deliver his best tennis.
“Rarely he didn’t deliver his best tennis when we played, and we’ve played many times.
“So I don’t think it’s going to create some kind of a mental challenge or obstacle for him.
“Maybe, maybe not. I don’t know. But I don’t want to think about that or expect that, because I want to rely on really what I do well and try to execute that.”
Djokovic is hoping to equal Federer’s six ATP Finals titles by lifting the trophy over the next week.
But for the first time ever his season will not end in London as the newly-revamped Davis Cup immediately follows in Madrid.
“Well, part of me of course is kind of willing to go to holidays right after this tournament,” Djokovic added.
“You know, of course I’m looking forward to holidays. It’s been a long season.
“But at the same time, you know, part of me is excited to be back in the national team again and playing Davis Cup. It’s a different format, and as you mentioned, there is a potentially five days in a row for me, five singles matches and maybe five doubles matches, as well.
“But I do feel good. I have been taking care of myself pretty well with my team. So my body has been responding positively, considering it’s final, you know, stages and final few weeks of the year where you tend to, you know, maybe have a bit more pain, so to say, than at the beginning of the year.”
