Djokovic shoulders heightened expectations

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Djokovic shoulders heightened expectations

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The Serbian has taken an extraordinary ride to the top, claiming the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

30 August,2011 05:33 pm

For Novak Djokovic, in the midst of one of the great seasons in mens tennis history, dreams and reality are becoming one and the same.The Serbian has taken an extraordinary ride to the top of mens tennis, claiming the Australian Open and Wimbledon titlesalong the way as he built a remarkable 57-2 record.Youknow, I did achieve the dreams that I had throughout all my tennis career, but I still have lots to prove to myself, Djokovic said Monday, a day before he was due to launch his US Opencampaign.If I continue on playing this way, Im able to win more majors, he said. Thats one of my goals, you know, in the next couple of years, to try to stay healthy and try to perform well and win as many majors as I can.An Olympic medal and another Davis Cup would be great.At one time, Djokovic might have considered some of his loftier career aspirations dreams, as opposed to his more down-to-earth goals.Now, he said, I kind of put them together.Djokovics stellar season hit a snag in Cincinnati this month, when inflammation in his right shoulder forced him to retire from the final against Andy Murray.Djokovic said he doesnt expect the shoulder to be a problem during the US Open.I have been serving in the last couple of days, playing 100 percent, so Im ready for the tournament, he said. I had a little trouble in Cincinnati throughout the whole week, and I carried that up to the finals, he said. It was unfortunate to finish this way the match against Murray.But I think it was the right decision, because I needed not to risk anymore, any further major injuries.So I decided to take some time off and went to MRI and everything is fine.Hes especially pleased to be at full strength for Flushing Meadows, where a runner-up finish to Rafael Nadal last year was the springboard to his 2011 success.I had a great US Open in 2010, Djokovic said, recalling his first-round victory over compatriot Victor Troicki -- in which he trailed two sets to one -- and a semi-final victory over Roger Federer in which he saved two match points.After that tournament I started to believe more that I can win big matches against top guys, Djokovic said.