Djokovic is having a fairy-tale run on the World Tour remaining unbeaten since the start of the year, enjoying a 18-match winning streak. Djoko started the year on a high helping Serbia won the inaugural edition of the ATP Cup and then winning the Australian Open for a record extending 8th title. After being pushed by Frenchman Gael Monfils to the edge in the semifinals, Djokovic was at his all conquering best in the finals to rack up yet another title at one of favourite hunting grounds.
Djokovic has now won Dubai five times in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2020, now just three shy of Roger Federer’s record eight titles. The two have combined to win 13 of the tournament’s last 18 years.
“I'm trying to embrace the moment and appreciate where I am,” said Djokovic. “I think this has been one of the best starts of all the seasons I had in my career. I feel great on the court. I've been playing great tennis on the hard courts. That is my most successful and preferred surface.
“I'm just grateful that I'm playing well, feeling well. I've won many matches now in a row. I'll try to keep that run going. It's just way too early to speak about how long that run might go, the calculations. I try not to think about predictions. I try to focus on what I need to do with myself and my team in order to thrive every day, in order to try to play as best as I can every single match. That's the main focus.”
Djokovic's 79th career title moves him five behind Rafael Nadal, who was playing in the Mexican Open final in Acapulco against American Taylor Fritz. After winning the Australian Open, Djokovic pocketed his 18th Grand Slam title and is now behind only Roger Federer (20) and Rafael Nadal in the alll time singles list.