Djokovic focused on Grand Slams

Despite surrendering the number-one position in the world rankings, Novak Djokovic says he will focus on adding to his six Grand Slam titles, rather than regaining top spot in the rankings, during 2014. While it looks as though Nadal will be right up there with the Betfair odds in all four Grand Slams next year, Djokovic’s victory in London last month will give him plenty of confidence heading into the new year.

The Serbian star beat world number one Rafael Nadal 6-3 6-4 to retain his ATP World Tour Finals title in London to end the season on a high, meaning he will head into the end of the year unbeaten in 22 matches and heading into January’s Australian Open favourite with the tennis betting odds to win his fourth straight title in Melbourne.

Rafael Nadal’s sensational return to action this year, which saw the Spaniard win 10 titles including the French and US Opens since February, was enough to see the 27-year old climb back up to the number-one spot ahead of Djokovic, but that hasn’t altered the Serb’s plans for 2014.

While Djokovic picked up 10 titles in 2013, he has admitted he still feels plenty of frustration about how he performed in crucial matches in three of the four Grand Slams. The Serb has revealed he will begin the new year more focused on adding to his six Grand Slam titles than he is on getting back to number one in the rankings.

"The Grand Slams are the tournaments where I want to win, where I want to get my hands on the title. That will be my highest priority for next year. I had a good year but I’m not satisfied by the fact that I lost the three big matches in the three Grand Slams."

Djokovic lost in the semi-finals at the French Open and the finals of Wimbledon and the US Open in 2013, before finishing the season by defending his ATP World Tour Finals – in a tournament Nadal had gone into as the favourite with Betfair.