WORLD NUMBER ONE Novak Djokovic has ended 2011 the same way he begin the year – in title-winning form.
Having won three of the four Grand Slams over the past 12 months and become the highest-ranked player in the world, the Serb has added another $250,000 to his prize haul after claiming the World Tennis Championship exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
Djokovic dispatched Roger Federer in style at the semi-final stage and made light work of Spaniard David Ferrer in the showpiece on Saturday, breaking his serve five times to complete a straight forward 6-2 6-1.
The matches were ideal preparation for the 24-year-old, who now travels to Australia to defend the first of his Major crowns.
“This is the best way to start the 2012 season,” Djokovic said afterwards. “I must say I’m really happy with the way I’m playing. Playing against the top players in the world in this way gives me a lot of confidence.
“Usually at this stage, you are trying to find your speed on the court, agility, just dynamics of every stroke. But I found it already, to be honest, right away after the first match. It’s a great way for me to prepare for Melbourne.”
World number two Rafael Nadal finished third overall after overcoming Federer (6-1 7-5) in their play-off match earlier in the day. He described the win as a “positive match” following his loss to Ferrer and confirmed plans to take a month off from the ATP tour in February because of a niggling shoulder injury.
Federer, for his part, admitted that both Djokovic and Nadal appear to be in good fettle ahead of the first Slam of the year, saying: “I expected them to be in good shape for next year and they proved that to me this weekend.”
Elsewhere, Andy Murray has hired eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl as his new coach. The Scot is still without a Major title and will be looking to correct that fact when he begins his latest assault on the Australian Open on January 16th.
“It is important to me that any new person joining my team was able to add fresh insight,” he said.
“Ivan’s impact on the game is unquestionable and he brings experience and knowledge that few others have, particularly in major tournaments. I look forward to working with him.”
- Additional reporting AP