Novak Djokovic reiterates that regaining desire, not retaining No. 1 ranking, is top priority

Novak Djokovic says retaining the No. 1 ranking is not his major goal as he returns to competition in Shanghai.

The Serb emphasized, rather, that he is still concentrating on regaining his desire for the game.

Djokovic, who recently told Sky Sports and journalists in Belgrade that his enjoyment on court dipped after winning the French Open, said in his pre-tournament press conference that he practiced in the two weeks leading up to Shanghai, and is looking to get back into the "right competitive mode."

But he also repeated that his mentality has changed.

"My approach is just different,” he said. “My priorities are now—especially after the period after Roland Garros, where I had a little bit of difficulties—to enjoy, really. I didn't know, actually, how [I was] going to react after winning [the] French Open because it was very emotional. I was obviously very content, but on the other hand I was also very exhausted, and I needed some time to recover, to regroup.

"So that's my priority now: to get back into that inner joy, and really feeling happy for being on the court. Everything else comes second behind that."

The world No. 1 believes that the goal he’s set for himself is an important one.

"I do really feel like I'm already getting better because I changed my mindset," said Djokovic. "I also don't have that much of, I would say, pressure to really achieve something; you know, that I never achieved before ... It's not about really just winning the match and just lifting the trophy, because I have been through those periods and you learn. "

Djokovic noted that there have been "oscillations" in his performance since his victory at the French Open. The 29-year-old has won only one tournament since Roland Garros, and that has allowed Andy Murray to gain on him in the rankings. But Djokovic insisted that that’s not a top concern.

“I don't think about that as a priority now,” he said. “For me, from my perspective, I don't think about that. I think about something else that is more important."

He did add, however, that he is still aiming for victory.

“When I said I'm not interested only in winning and lifting trophies, that doesn't mean that I'm not interested in that at all,” he explained. “Of course, when I get on the court I will do my best to win the match, as there is no change in that."

Djokovic had a bye in the first round, and will play Fabio Fognini in the second.