Novak Djokovic explains what drove him to the Australian Open title

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Now 17-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has underlined that chasing the Grand Slam title record and historic No. 1 are the two main things that keep him extremely motivated to keep pushing hard. Djokovic, seeded at No.

2, edged out fifth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 in the Australian Open final to keep his perfect finals record at Melbourne Park and claim a record eighth title at the event. Djokovic, 32, is now three Grand Slams from equaling 38-year-old Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles captured.

Djokovic, who lost the No. 1 spot to Rafael Nadal after the Paris Masters, will return to the world No. 1 when the ATP ranking list gets updated this Monday. "I am super happy, this sets the tone for the rest of the year. Slams are the biggest reason why I still play at this level.

That and historic number one," Djokovic told reporters, per Sasa Ozmo of Sport Klub. Federer also holds the record for the most weeks spent at the top spot. When asked about the historic No. 1, Djokovic said: "I was dreaming to win as many Slams as possible.

The No. 1 wasn’t in the equation until I finished No. 1 for several years ago, but I can’t identify the exact moment that became focus."