Novak Djokovic emphasized that he's the man to beat going into 2012 with a crushing win over David Ferrer in the Mubadala World Tennis Championships final.
Djokovic pushed his body to breaking point during 2011 and as a result he faded away after the US Open but after a much needed break, the Serb has shown that he's refreshed and in superb form going into the new season.
Ferrer had played superbly to see off Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Rafael Nadal to reach the final but he had no answer to Djokovic's brilliance, going down 6-2, 6-1.
“This is the best way to start the 2012 season,” Djokovic said. “I must say I’m really happy with the way I’m playing. Playing against the top players in the world in this way gives me a lot of confidence.”
“Usually at this stage, you are trying to find your speed on the court, agility, just dynamics of every stroke. But I found it already, to be honest, right away after the first match. ... It’s a great way for me to prepare for Melbourne.”
“He was better than me. He played a really good match,” Ferrer said. “I tried but maybe I played at a deficit all the time. I fought, but with Djokovic at the moment it’s difficult to beat him.”
Meanwhile, Roger Federer's miserable week continued as he lost the 3rd/4th place playoff 6-1, 7-5 to Nadal but the Swiss insisted he wasn't concerned.
“It’s about getting ready and feeling fine out there and enjoying a great atmosphere here and having the chance to play world class players,” Federer said. “Trying a few things, see where you are at and see where the other guys are at.”
