• ATP World Tour Finals

Djokovic determined to keep pressure on top dog Nadal

ESPN staff
November 4, 2013
Looking up: Novak Djokovic can claim the year-end No.1 ranking if Nadal falters at The O2 © Getty Images
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Novak Djokovic knows the year-end world No. 1 title is out of his hands but is determined to push Rafael Nadal all the way at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals.

Djokovic, who was replaced as world No. 1 by Nadal in October, won the Paris Masters to complete the perfect preparation for the season finale at The O2, where he opens with a Group B clash with Roger Federer on Tuesday, a repeat of Saturday's semi-final in Paris.

Nadal, in Group A, opens his campaign on the same day against David Ferrer, his own semi-final opponent at the year's final Masters 1000 event who went on to lose the final against Djokovic.

Nadal the man to beat - but Novak can do it

Who will be victorious at the O2? © Getty Images
  • As the ATP World Tour Finals kick off at the O2 in London, Chris Wilkinson profiles the eight finalists and makes his predictions.
  • Read more on what our resident tennis expert thinks here

And while Nadal has never won the World Tour Finals - he has reached the final just once, back in 2010, and has twice failed to progress from the group stages in London - Djokovic knows the ball is in the Spaniard's court

Djokovic, the defending champion at the year-end event, can return to the top of the rankings if he successfully defends his London title then leads Serbia to Davis Cup triumph against the Czech Republic - providing Nadal does not win more than one match this week.

"It doesn't just depend on me, it depends on Rafa," said the Australian Open champion. "It's very important for me to concentrate on myself and let things take care of themselves. I've taken a lot of confidence from this week.

"I am definitely playing my best tennis this year, including the start of the year with the Australian Open and Dubai, when I had a great run.

"The summer was up and down, and now I'm on a very high level, even though it's going to be three weeks now in a row for me: Paris, London, and the Davis Cup final."

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