Novak Djokovic’s second half of the 2018 season, has been nothing short of a fairy-tale. The Serbian has looked to have returned to his primed days, after he etched his name on the Wimbledon and US Open trophies. Djokovic is currently playing at the Shanghai Masters 1000 event, where he is set to face the South American Kevin Anderson, in the the quarterfinals.

Djokovic, during his press conference, said that he is keeping an eye out on the rankings and believes he is well and truly in with a chance of upsetting the established order at the top of the rankings. “I know how many points he’s ahead of me. When you’re in the race, of course you know”, said Djokovic. “I haven’t won too many matches the beginning of the year. After the surgery I was not managing to play my best, and that has changed, so obviously the more you win, the more comfortable and more confident you feel on the court. That’s usually the case for everyone”, he added.

Assessing his own performances, Djokovic said that he was pretty close to being at the best of his forms. “I’m very grateful to play on a high level”, said the US Open champion. “I think that I’m very close to my best, you know, and “best” changes day to day. I can always strive to be the best I can be on that given day.Today’s performance was pretty close to that”, said Djokovic.

Djokovic also said that the courts this year at the Shanghai masters 1000 have been very fast and have been advantageous for the serving player. “This year’s surface on the center court and outside courts especially has been the fastest that I have ever experienced. Very quick courts. Favors the server, obviously”, said Nole. “That’s why you have to be alert all the time and ready to get out of the blocks very quickly and, you know, bring in the intensity”, he added.