Australian Open 2016: Novak Djokovic motivated, inspired to play his best in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic holds some good memories at the Australian Open, and the Serb plans on creating another one at the first Grand Slam event of this year.

Djokovic hopes to add in his record another Grand Slam title when he opens his 2016 Australian Open campaign against Hyeon Chung of South Korea on Monday. The world No. 1, who is considered the heavy favourite to defend his Australian Open title, said his focus is on the tournament, where he is motivated to play his best tennis to fight for the trophy.

“When you're in an environment like this, you feel motivated, you feel inspired to be here, to actually perform at your best,” Djokovic said, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. “This being one of the four most important and prestigious tournaments we have in sport, of course it always does in a way extract the best out of each player."

Djokovic is coming off an easy win at the Qatar Open in Doha earlier this month, where he dominated the competition, including a 6-1 6-2 final-round mauling of career rival Rafael Nadal. In this year’s tournament, the Serb will be looking for a sixth straight Australian Open crown, but admitted his first round match-up against Chung will be tricky as the youngster from South Korea has nothing to lose in playing the “Djoker.”

“He doesn't have maybe as powerful of a serve as you would expect for his height,” Djokovic said, reports the ATP’s official website. “But I'm going to do a little bit more analysis and research there and get myself ready.”

Chung, who is one of the four teenagers in the top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings, is coming off a breakout season in 2015 after being hailed by the governing body as the Most Improved Player of the Year. The 19-year-old Korean, who ranks No. 51, won seven tour-level events and four ATP Challenger Tour titles, including a 12-10 record in tour-level events.

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