London (dpa) - Novak Djokovic was coping Friday with an overdose of joy while trying to maintain his focus for a first Wimbledon final after booking his place with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-2, 6-7 (9-11), 6-3 defeat of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
But not only will the Serb bid for his third Grand Slam title on Sunday, he will also play in the knowledge that as of Monday he stands at the top of the ATP as the new world number one.
It was all a bit much to take at times.
"Every child has a dream to become something in his life," said the 24-year-old who owns two Australian Open titles, from 2008 (over Tsonga) and won last January against Andy Murray. "We live from those dreams.
"Obviously I had a big support of my family and people around me that allowed me to have the opportunity to reach that dream, you know, to reach the life goal.
"I started in the mountains in a very small place (his father owned a pizza restaurant), and then I continued in Belgrade practising tennis that wasn't really popular at the times.
"It wasn't easy to hold that desire and really believe in yourself. But I always did, and the people close to me did. So, I mean, to reach here, it is something really special."
Djokovic will now stand ahead of Rafael Nadal with Roger Federer on third as two of the greatest in the game take a back seat to the Serb. Between them, the trailing pair own 26 Grand Slam titles.
"There were times in last two, three years where it was really difficult when I was losing most of those important matches at the later stages of the majors against those two guys," admitted Djokovic.
"But I've always believed in myself. I have to say there were times when I questioned myself, but I always overcome it because the belief was so strong.
"I knew that if I work hard, if I work on my game to try to improve it, get it to the stage where I feel comfortable to beat those guys. Competing with them, it is really challenging.
"On the other hand, they make you improve. Because they are so good, you have to come up with your best tennis."
Djokovic had only hours to celebrate his one-two success before starting to prepare for the final against either Nadal or Murray.
"This is definitely one of the most important achievements and days in my life, in my career. We are all dedicated to this sport one hundred percent.
"When you know you're going to be the best in the world and you're reaching the finals of your favorite tournament, it's something special."
But not only will the Serb bid for his third Grand Slam title on Sunday, he will also play in the knowledge that as of Monday he stands at the top of the ATP as the new world number one.
It was all a bit much to take at times.
"Every child has a dream to become something in his life," said the 24-year-old who owns two Australian Open titles, from 2008 (over Tsonga) and won last January against Andy Murray. "We live from those dreams.
"Obviously I had a big support of my family and people around me that allowed me to have the opportunity to reach that dream, you know, to reach the life goal.
"I started in the mountains in a very small place (his father owned a pizza restaurant), and then I continued in Belgrade practising tennis that wasn't really popular at the times.
"It wasn't easy to hold that desire and really believe in yourself. But I always did, and the people close to me did. So, I mean, to reach here, it is something really special."
Djokovic will now stand ahead of Rafael Nadal with Roger Federer on third as two of the greatest in the game take a back seat to the Serb. Between them, the trailing pair own 26 Grand Slam titles.
"There were times in last two, three years where it was really difficult when I was losing most of those important matches at the later stages of the majors against those two guys," admitted Djokovic.
"But I've always believed in myself. I have to say there were times when I questioned myself, but I always overcome it because the belief was so strong.
"I knew that if I work hard, if I work on my game to try to improve it, get it to the stage where I feel comfortable to beat those guys. Competing with them, it is really challenging.
"On the other hand, they make you improve. Because they are so good, you have to come up with your best tennis."
Djokovic had only hours to celebrate his one-two success before starting to prepare for the final against either Nadal or Murray.
"This is definitely one of the most important achievements and days in my life, in my career. We are all dedicated to this sport one hundred percent.
"When you know you're going to be the best in the world and you're reaching the finals of your favorite tournament, it's something special."
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