Tennis: Novak Djokovic looking forward to first Vienna appearance in 15 years, aims to end year as No. 1

Topping the world's rankings since Feb 3, Novak Djokovic is 1,890 points ahead of Rafa Nadal on the ATP list. PHOTO: EPA-EFE

LONDON (AFP) - World number one Novak Djokovic said Thursday (Oct 15) he planned to play two more tournaments until the end of the season - in Vienna and London - and keep his top ATP ranking.

"I'm going to play the Vienna tournament that wasn't originally on my schedule," Djokovic told AFP.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a visit to a wellness park in Bosnia where he came to recuperate after losing last Sunday's French Open final to Rafael Nadal.

"I haven't played in Vienna for 15 years so I'm happy about that," Djokovic added.

The 33-year-old Serb said that the London Masters, starting on Nov 15, is the second and final tournament that he still intended to play for the remainder of the season.

"This season, which was very intermittent, different and weird, at the same time brought me a lot of success and I'm very satisfied with my game, points, ranking.

"I hope that, after the month and a half that's left in this season, I will finish it as world number one. That's my professional goal and I'm going to work on it. It's mostly up to me," he added.

Topping the world's rankings since Feb 3, Djokovic is 1,890 points ahead of Nadal on the ATP list.

After the straight sets defeat in Paris, the Serb went with his wife to the park in Bosnia to recuperate.

"I have played a lot of games for two and a half months... I could not go out because of the restrictions and rules (due to the coronavirus pandemic) and it has mentally exhausted me a lot," said the 17-time Grand Slam champion.

"This is the last of my three days here, and I feel recovered and regenerated."

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