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Now for Rio

Djokovic eyes Olympic glory after winning 66th career title in Toronto

Minutes after completing a 6-3, 7-5 ATP Toronto Masters final win over Kei Nishikori yesterday morning (Singapore time) for his 66th career title, Novak Djokovic shifted his focus to the Rio Olympics.

The Serbian world No. 1, who claimed his fourth Canadian title with a commanding performance over Asia's top player lasting less than 90 minutes, will waste no time in heading south to Brazil for the weekend start of the Olympic Games.

"It's the biggest event in the history of the sport, so to be part of it is already a huge privilege and honour that I will cherish, as I did in Beijing and London," said the holder of a leading 30 Masters 1000 trophies.

UNFORGETTABLE

"I had the honour of carrying the flag for my country in London 2012, one of the most unique and unforgettable moments of my life.

"So I look forward to that, honestly, just being part of it.

"I'm approaching the Olympic Games like any other tournament.

"I'm trying to respect the same kind of preparation and routine that I have with my team and that I have respected for so many years.

"It has worked well for us this week and most other weeks the last couple of years."

Djokovic lifted his game in Canada as the week progressed, sweeping to the title without the loss of a set and dispatching challenges from Gael Monfils in the semis followed by Japan's Nishikori.

"The overall sensation (of Rio) is not going to be the same as the other tournaments, because it's Olympic Games," he said. "Of course, you represent your country.

"You get to feel that you're part of something much larger than just the tennis event. I look forward to that.

"I'm going to try to extract the positivity out of that huge attention and energy that will be directed into the Olympic Games and, hopefully, put myself in a position to battle for a medal."

Djokovic won a bronze in Beijing and just missed the podium in London, losing to Argentina's Juan Martin del Potro in the bronze-medal match.

Yesterday morning's title erased memories of a third-round Wimbledon upset loss to Sam Querrey a month ago.

He said: "Everything in life happens for a reason.

MOTIVATION

"The fact that I lost in the first week of Wimbledon allowed me to have a week more of the time with my family and just the quality time off tennis, recharging my batteries, and then coming here with plenty of motivation to do well.

"I couldn't ask for a better start to the hardcourt season and, hopefully, I can keep going in the right direction."

The Toronto Masters was the Serb's seventh trophy this season.

"It has happened many times in my career where I would start a tournament still feeling a little bit uncomfortable on the court and finding my rhythm and then, at the end of the tournament, I find that proper comfort level with shots, with the way I feel, with mental attitude," he said.

"My two best performances arrived in semi-finals and finals - the right moment for me. That gives me a lot of confidence that I will try to carry into Rio." - AFP.

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