"Eventually they'll take the No. 1, then I'll bring it back again" - Novak Djokovic looking forward to challenge from Next Gen in 2023

Novak Djokovic knows as well as anyone that he will face a tough challenge in 2023 from Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Holger Rune and other Next Gen players. However, the Serb is very much looking forward to it instead of worrying about losing his hold on the World No. 1 spot eventually.

Speaking at his press conference after his 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (1) win over Tomas Machac in his Dubai Tennis Championships opener, Djokovic said:

"I work as hard as anybody else. I'm really, really committed to the sport. And I try. There's a lot of challengers that are coming up in the new generations. Alcaraz being there, probably one of the leaders of the next generation. Rune. Then you have Tsitsipas. These guys are just playing on a high level constantly."

The 22-time Grand Slam champion admitted that he doesn't play nearly as many tournaments as the youngsters on tour. But while that may jeopardize his chances of holding on to the World No. 1 crown, Djokovic remarked that going back and forth was part and parcel of the game.

If someone removes him from the top spot, Djokovic is confident in his own ability to do the same to them sooner rather than later.

"They're playing a lot of tournaments, a lot of weeks," he said. "I'm not playing as much, and I don't plan to play as many weeks as they do. Yeah, I mean, I guess eventually they'll take the No. 1, then I'll bring it back again, then they'll take it again, then we go in circles."

The Serb also acknowledged how impressive his feat of becoming the World No. 1 in 2023 was.

Djokovic notably missed two Grand Slams last year and did not receive any ranking points for his Wimbledon triumph. He is, therefore, "overwhelmed with pride" at his achievement of replacing Steffi Graf as the longest-reigning World No. 1 in tennis history.

"I think this is the least points I've had as No. 1. It happens. It's not only due to my circumstances of not playing couple of Grand Slams and everything that happened last year, but also other players, some players missing some Slams for injuries, some players not having the biggest of consistency, so to say," Djokovic said.

"I guess that makes the achievement even bigger, at least in my team's and my eyes. Of course, I'm overwhelmed with pride. That's all I can say," he added.

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"I would like to stay healthy and prolong my career as much as I can to play on this highest level" - Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis

With 378 weeks as the World No. 1 in the bag, Novak Djokovic was asked at the press conference if he now thought of taking that tally up to 500 weeks. The Serb made note of his age in response, remarking that his main priority at this stage was to remain healthy and focus more on the Grand Slams.

"I'm 36 this year, so I just don't think at the moment this is highest priority. I would like to stay healthy and prolong my career as much as I can to play on this highest level. That's the one priority," Djokovic said.

"The other priority is playing the best tennis in Grand Slams, trying to win more Grand Slams. Then if No. 1 ranking in the world comes as a consequence of good results, I'll be very happy," he added.

At the same time, the 22-time Grand Slam champion did not dismiss the idea completely. He stated that he would try his best to get the record when he got close, and not a moment sooner.

"But things change a little bit. Of course, I wanted to break Roger's [Roger Federer] record, I wanted to break Steffi's record when I was so close. Why not? So I'm here. Right now I just focus on some other goals," he said.