'The Zone' A Familiar Place For Djokovic
'The Zone' A Familiar Place For Djokovic
Djokovic lifts his game during the biggest moments
Novak Djokovic confirmed what millions must have thought while watching him defeat Milos Raonic in the BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday. The World No. 1 was “in the zone.”
“I was,” Djokovic said when asked directly.
It has become a familiar place for the Serb, who won his record fifth Indian Wells title by beating Raonic 6-2, 6-0. Djokovic broke the Canadian six times and never faced a break point during the one-hour and 17-minute match.
Week in and week out on the ATP World Tour, Djokovic continues to impress even long-time watchers of the sport. He somehow consistently lifts his game during tournament’s biggest moments and routinely knocks off other top players in the world.
Djokovic has won his last 17 matches in Indian Wells and 16 in ATP Masters 1000 tournaments since his last loss in the 2015 Cincinnati final to Roger Federer. The 28-year-old Serb also has made the finals of the last 10 ATP Masters 1000 tournaments that he’s competed in, going to back to 2014 Paris-Bercy. Djokovic is 8-2 during that stretch.
He also has won three consecutive Masters 1000 titles and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. For 2016, Djokovic is 22-1.
The past two weeks in Indian Wells were no exception, either. Djokovic won in straight sets against World No. 5 Rafael Nadal and against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, No. 9 in the Emirates ATP Rankings, before cruising against Raonic.
“I’m just glad to be able to raise the level of my game as the tournament progresses, and that’s something that I have been doing in the last two years particularly on the big events,” Djokovic said.
Sunday’s win gave Djokovic his 27th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title, leveling him with Rafael Nadal. The win also marked his third consecutive Indian Wells championship.
“I have been managing to win most of the big matches against Top 10 players,” Djokovic said. ”Obviously I have a certain routine and certain preparation for these big matches that works for me.”
He’s hoping to maintain that routine and his success as the ATP World Tour season continues.
“It has obviously been a great couple of weeks,” Djokovic said. “To win this tournament five times is a fantastic achievement for my team and I.”