“Being No.1 is the best and worst thing about being No.1, because of course that's an ultimate challenge in this sport, in any sport really, to be the best in what you do, particularly in individual sport,” Djokovic said.
“I have been blessed to be No.1 that many weeks throughout my career. That was always the highest goal beginning of every season, particularly being in the era with Federer, Nadal, the guys that are greats of the game. So of course that makes the success even bigger.
“On the other hand, the downside of being No.1 is that you are always being chased by everyone else that wants to dethrone you and wants to win against you in every single match regardless of the size or category of the tournament.”
Djokovic said with experience he had grown used to the feeling of being the name most hunted.
“That's giving me even more motivation when I get to face guys who want to challenge me for the top spot,” he said. “Everyone can have a great tournament or a month or three months or six months, but to be No.1 in the end of the season, you need to play well 11 months and be consistent and defend your points and face that kind of pressures over and over again.”