Novak Djokovic aims to chase down Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal after 13th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic has set himself the aim of catching the Grand Slam haul of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.

The Serb’s fourth Wimbledon triumph moved him to 13 Grand Slam career wins, four behind Nadal and seven off Federer’s record of 20.

It was the former world No1’s first Grand Slam success in more than two years and he is warning the world’s top two players that more titles are around the corner.

“Lucky No13,” said Djokovic, after his 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 win over Kevin Anderson. “I’m hoping I won’t stay on 13 as long as I stayed on 12.

“I do think this Wimbledon victory will mean a lot to me confidence-wise, will serve as a springboard for what’s coming up this season, but also for the rest of my career.

“As long as I’m motivated and love this sport and I’m healthy, I have a good chance to go on and win a few more [Grand Slams].”

Just a few weeks ago, at the French Open, Djokovic warned he might miss the entire grasscourt season in the wake of a tight quarter-final defeat at Roland Garros.

His coach, Marian Vajda, with whom he was reunited not long before the French Open, persuaded him to enter Queen’s, where he reached the final, but admitted winning Wimbledon was beyond the realms of expectation.

“This is the biggest surprise in all the years I’ve worked with him,” said Vajda, who had been axed last year by Djokovic, along with his entire team.

“After that terrible interview [at the French Open] in which he decided not to play grasscourts, I always doubted. He wasn’t ready for Wimbledon, I still cannot understand why it happened. But it’s like a violin, if you stop for six months with the violin you can’t play any songs but, with routine, it comes back.”

As for what is possible at next month’s US Open — a tournament Djokovic has won twice before — Vajda, 52, said: “I cannot tell you how he’s going to be at the US Open. I’m not predicting anything.”

Djokovic’s victory moved him back into the world’s top 10 today, something he admitted he did not think would be possible after months of playing in pain, followed by elbow surgery earlier in the year.

But a back-to-basics approach with his coach appears to have brought a return of the Djokovic of old, who previously boasted the World No1 spot for 223 weeks and could yet find himself back there if the results continue.

“This is going to be a huge confidence boost for the rest of the season,” he said ahead of the US Open and the American hardcourt season.

“There was always part of me that believed I could come back to this level, to again be one of the best players in the world.

“I would have said Wimbledon was a bit too early but whenever I come to a tournament — and especially to a Grand Slam — I have a good opportunity to fight for the trophy.”