Wimbledon 2016: Novak Djokovic ‘flattered’ Andy Murray’s coach Ivan Lendl is already targeting him at the tournament
World No1 holds all four Grand Slam titles but the British No1 is out to stop the Serb’s dreams of a calendar-year clean sweep
NOVAK DJOKOVIC claims it is “flattering” that Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray’s rehired head coach, is targeting him.
Lendl has hailed Djokovic’s feat of holding all four Grand Slam titles but admits he and Murray want to “ruin” the super Serb’s dreams of a calendar-year clean sweep.
Wimbledon champion Djokovic, who lost his first 2016 match on grass 6-3 7-5 to David Goffin at The Boodles exhibition event yesterday, said: “It’s flattering to hear that.
“Ivan is one of the legends of our sport and of course, he’s been a great rival with my coach Boris [Becker].
“I was joking around with my team that they’ve got to extend the locker room for the legends.
“I don’t think it’s a surprising decision from Andy because Ivan, when he was his coach, Andy won a couple of Grand Slams, won an Olympic gold medal, made the best results of his career.
“So I think it was aa logical move for him to take and they’re a good team so it’s going to be an interesting tournament.”
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Djokovic admitted that beating Murray in the French Open final and so at least completing a career Grand Slam had been a huge relief.
But he insisted the quick turnaround to Wimbledon, where he will be chasing a fifth Major win in a row, would keep him focused.
The world No 1 said: “There is certainly a great sense of relief — no doubt about it.
"But there is one thing that we all learn in tennis — to re-set a day or a week later.
“We don't have too much time to reflect on what we have achieved.
“Of course I am very proud and very thrilled to be able to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time. It is a remarkable achievement for my team and I.
“But we are moving on, it is back on grass now and starting from scratch.
"And I think it is great that round the corner we have Wimbledon, back to back Grand Slams in less than a month.
“That will definitely make me focused and stay determined."