Djokovic returns to Vienna with goal in mind

Published October 27, 2020

Welcome to Vienna @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/yGfwMkvmjY
— Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) October 25, 2020

Novak Djokovic returns to Vienna this week for the first time in 13 years with one big goal in mind: clinching the year-end No. 1 ranking. If the Serbian can win two matches, he'll equal Pete Sampras' record of six year-end No. 1 finishes.

World No. 1 @DjokerNole back in Vienna for the first time since his 2007 title 🏆

(via @ErsteBankOpen) pic.twitter.com/mwoYDFAbx2
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 25, 2020

With five, Djokovic is tied with both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

"Sampras had been one of my idols when I was a kid and of course I want to finish the year as No. 1 to tie his record," Djokovic told press. "That’s one of the toughest achievements in world sports."

Novak Attempting to Break Records

There's some stiff competition at the ATP 500 including Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov, who Djokovic practiced with.

"You got that on camera?" 😂

Yes. Yes we did.@djokernole | @grigordimitrov | @erstebankopen pic.twitter.com/wKePqoeTxn
— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 27, 2020

Djokovic opens against compatriot Filip Krajinovic and will face Borna Coric if he wins. The last time the 33-year-old played in Vienna, back in 2007, he won the tournament.