Djokovic ending year as real rival to Roger and Rafa

By Martyn Herman

LONDON (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic looked in danger of getting left behind earlier this year after a punishing clay court season took its toll on his body and mind but the Serbian appears to be back to his best.

First this month he beat world number one Roger Federer in his own backyard to take the Basel title, then last week he thrashed world number two Rafael Nadal on his way to winning the Paris Masters, his fifth title of the year.

Now the 22-year-old former Australian Open champion is setting his sights on defending his ATP World Tour Finals crown in London and next year challenging for the world number one spot.

"I don't think I'm the favourite or number one right now because every single player who is here can win the tournament which makes it even more interesting," said Djokovic, who begins at the O2 Arena on Monday against Nikolay Davydenko in Group B which also contains Nadal and Robin Soderling.

Djokovic may not rate himself as the favourite next week but he certainly has a spring in his step despite playing 94 Tour matches this season.

"In the start of the year, even though I had the best clay court season in my career I had some tough times because I made some major changes, with the racket, I took the responsibility for that and it affected me a bit on the court, and I lost my focus," Djokovic, who took the unusual decision to switch racket manufacturers on the eve of the season said.

"But I feel that I've matured more now and I know what I want to do on the court.

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