Novak Djokovic said on Monday that he is not content with just challenging Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the men’s Grand Slams record and has Serena Williams and Margaret Court in his sights, reported AFP. The statement comes after he won a ninth Australian Open title.

Djokovic concluded a turbulent tournament marked by a muscle injury and media attacks when he beat an in-form Daniil Medvedev in the final on Sunday.

This was Djokovic’s 18th major crown that now places him within striking distance of the men’s record of 20,  jointly held by Nadal and Federer. 

The world number one, however, raised the standards of his goals by aiming for the 23 titles held by Williams, and even the 24 won by Court straddling the amateur and Open era.

On being asked about his goals and schedule for this year, he said, “Getting closer to maybe Roger’s, Rafa’s record, Serena, Margaret. Everyone has their own journey and their own way of making history. They’ve made history already. They made a tremendous mark in our sport.”

He added, “I think about winning more Slams and breaking records, of course. And most of my attention and my energy from this day forward, until I retire from tennis, is going to be directed in majors, trying to win more major trophies.”

According to the 33-year-old,  he would play a slimmed-down schedule focusing on the majors, rather than the rankings, now that he’s guaranteed to surpass Federer’s record of 310 weeks as world number one on March 8.

Sunday’s victory comes after he suffered a muscle tear in the third round and was criticised for requesting better conditions for players during quarantine.

He said, “It hurts. I’m a human being. I have emotions,” on the criticisms. 

Djokovic said, “The three knights of tennis. Roger and Rafa inspire me. I think as long as they go, I’ll go. In a way it’s like a race who plays tennis more and who wins more. It’s a competition between us in all areas. But I think that’s the very reason why we are who we are, because we do drive each other, we motivate each other, we push each other to the limit.”