Novak Djokovic: It is not only about winning trophies anymore

Novak Djokovic was taking the positives from a mixed week at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship as he discussed what motivates him ahead of 2020.

After ending his week finishing third at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, Novak Djokovic was happy enough with his progress and had his sights firmly set on the new ATP Tour season.

Djokovic bounced back from his three-set semifinal defeat against Stefanos Tsitsipas with a 7-5 6-3 win over Karen Khachanov and later discussed what was motivating him ahead of the latest campaign.

Rafael Nadal won a record fifth World Tennis Championship by edging a thrilling final against Tsitsipas after 16-time major winner Djokovic had seen off Khachanov in just over an hour to take third place.

The world number two ended with a win and a loss from his spell in Abu Dhabi, but was in a positive mood after a week that also saw him get some good practise in ahead of the 2020 campaign.

Speaking to reporters at the exhibition event, Djokovic explained the matches had come slightly earlier in his preseason preparations than would have been ideal.

But he was largely satisfied with how it had gone even though he lost to Tsitsipas, the ATP Finals winner who has set an ambitious goal to break up the big three over the next 12 months.

"“It has been great to get some quality match time under my belt and I got what I came here for, two good matches,” said Novak Djokovic.“It was a two-hour match against Tsitsipas so there was a lot of great exchanges and great rallies.“And I enjoy playing Karen, he’s a good friend off the court as well. We did have fun, but it was a good match as well, especially the first set which was quite close.“The offseason wasn’t that long and I only recently started playing tennis again. I’m actually very pleased with the way I’m moving on the court, but I still feel that I have a couple more gears.“The aim is to hit my best possible form just before the Australian Open or even for the ATP Cup.”"

Djokovic went on to say he was highly likely to continue returning to Abu Dhabi, where he is a four-time champion, as part of his preparation for each tennis season, praising the facilities, family atmosphere and the high-quality field that usually plays the tournament.

Looking ahead to next season, the 32-year-old spoke of his need to find a purpose to continue striving for success amid the tough demands of tennis at the highest level.

Djokovic explained he had moved past focusing purely on matches and trophies these days, instead focusing on building a longer-term legacy.

In a further discussion with reporters, he acknowledged his battle with Roger Federer and the in-form Nadal as the big three bid to finish their careers with the most Grand Slam titles was part of what drove him on, but that is not the only goal he has.

"“I think it’s always about finding that purpose, and the reason, the meaning of actually playing,” said Novak Djokovic.“For me, especially in the last couple of years, it’s not only about winning a tennis match or a trophy.“It had to be something greater than my own achievements. Something that would be related to legacy, something that would really be inspiring the lives of others, particularly kids.“You need to constantly give yourself fuel from the source, whatever the source is.“I’m motivated to compete by breaking my own records and moving my own boundaries.“Of course I’m aware of the privilege that I have to fight for history and to be able to possibly achieve even greater things and that’s something that drives me of course, alongside other things.”"

It was not a perfect week for Novak Djokovic at the Mubadala World Tennis Championship, but it was one that will do him good ahead of a busy start to the 2020 season.

He will represent Serbia at the ATP Cup, then has taken the unusual step of playing the week before a Grand Slam by adding the Adelaide International to his schedule.

Then comes the Australian Open, where he is defending champion and a record seven-time winner. He will go in as favorite, though Rafael Nadal is right there with him and on an incredible roll having added the trophy in Abu Dhabi to his recent US Open and Davis Cup successes.

Novak Djokovic is almost ready for another big year that he hopes will help add to his growing tennis legacy.