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I always believed I could be No. 1 - Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is the new world No. 1 © Getty Images

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Djokovic downs Nadal to win maiden Wimbledon title

Novak Djokovic has credited his ascent to the top of world tennis to Serbia's Davis Cup victory in December.

Djokovic's victory over Rafael Nadal to claim his first Wimbledon crown sealed a glorious three days for the Serb, who had guaranteed the world No. 1 spot following his semi-final victory over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Djokovic has lost just one of his 49 matches this season, and his astonishing start to 2011 can be traced back to the Davis Cup final in December, when Djokovic won his two singles rubbers to help guide his nation to their maiden title.

Djokovic believes that historic victory in Belgrade was the beginning of a new, more confident player: "I lost my fear".

Every player dreams of being the best player in the world, and also of winning Wimbledon; something Djokovic achieved in the space of three days.

"The two biggest things in my life in three days," he said. "It's what I was born for.

"I am never going to forget this. We all know about the careers of Federer and Nadal, we don't need to spend those words again, they have been the dominant players in the world over the last five years. They always came up with their best tennis when it mattered most.

"It is a process for me of learning, of developing, just finding a way mentally to overcome the pressures and the expectations you have. I always believed I had the quality to beat those guys, to win the majors and the mental approach had to be positive. There is no other way.

"This success makes you rewind to the old days. You come back to your childhood and remember what you've been through to get to this stage. I guess that's necessary in order for you to fight for what you want to achieve."

Following his quarter-final appearance at the All England Club, Australian teenager Bernard Tomic has broken into the world's top 100 for the first time - climbing 87 places to No. 71 to overtake Lleyton Hewitt as Australian No. 1.

Meanwhile, in the women's rankings, Serena Williams has dropped to 175th after failing to defend her Wimbledon title. The 13-time grand slam champion was 25th going into the event, but after falling to Marion Bartoli in the fourth round, the American plummets outside the world's top 150 for the first time since 1997.

ATP Tour Rankings
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB), 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP), 3. Roger Federer (SUI), 4. Andy Murray (GBR), 5. Robin Soderling (SWE), 6. David Ferrer (ESP), 7. Gael Monfils (FRA), 8. Mardy Fish (USA), 9. Tomas Berdych (CZE), 10. Andy Roddick (USA)

WTA Tour Rankings
1. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN), 2. Kim Clijsters (BEL), 3. Vera Zvonareva (RUS), 4. Victoria Azarenka (BLR), 5. Maria Sharapova (RUS), 6. Li Na (CHN), 7. Petra Kvitova (CZE),8. Francesca Schiavone (ITA), 9. Marion Bartoli (FRA), 10. Sam Stosur (AUS)

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