Novak Djokovic may be the runaway world No 1 right now, and favorite to take away Roger Federer's title at the Dubai Open this week, but he has started this year a relieved man.

Djokovic, who should meet Federer in Saturday's final, has been less worried by the reputation of the sport's greatest legend than by his own.

The 25-year-old Serbian's sensational spell of success in becoming a triple Grand Slam titleholder within one season left him feeling, he says, that he might never live up to the new image of himself.