Djokovic keen to snatch Federer's crown

By Simon Cambers

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - After a stellar year in which he reached his first grand slam final and soared to third in the world rankings, Novak Djokovic could be forgiven for thinking he had done the hard work as far as his career was concerned.

But as he prepared for next week's Australian Open, the Serb acknowledged he needed to improve further to fulfil his goals of winning a major and topping the standings.

"I would be happy if I had a year like 2007, this year," Djokovic, runner up to Roger Federer at the U.S. Open, told Reuters in an interview.

"I would be satisfied but I know that I can do more, that I can go further. I can improve still in some segments in the game and I am aware of that fact.

"I finished (2006) ranked 16 and I honestly didn't expect to rise to number three in the world, just after half a year, but it's just hard work."

With the world's top two, Federer and Rafael Nadal, mopping up the majority of tournaments they enter, Djokovic said he could not afford to let up.

"I am trying to stay consistent, that's one of the most difficult things in today's tennis, to stay where you are as long as you can and even go up further. That's one of my goals," he said.

Aged 20, time is on Djokovic's side.