Djokovic the Wolf knocking down door

Is time running out for Novak Djokovic, or can he go on and become the greatest player of all time?

Is time running out for Novak Djokovic, or can he go on and become the greatest player of all time?

After brushing aside a distracted Andy Murray 6-1 7-5 7-6 in the men's final at Melbourne Park to claim a record-equalling sixth Australian Open, and 11th grand slam title, debate has turned to the question of whether the Serb can match or even surpass Roger Federer's all-time mark of 17.

Now 28, Djokovic has joined greats Bjorn Borg and Rod Laver on 11 major titles, behind only Roy Emerson (12), Rafael Nadal and Pete Sampras (14 each), and, of course, Federer.

Nadal won his 11th title as a 26-year-old at the 2012 French Open. Since, he has won twice more at Roland Garros, and also took out the 2013 US Open.

A chronic knee injury has limited his game in recent times, and at 29, serious questions remain about whether he can regain the form that saw him win three consecutive grand slam events in 2010.

Federer claimed his 11th title at just 25, winning Wimbledon for the fifth time way back in 2007. He has added six more to his CV, the last of those also at Wimbledon in 2012.

But at 34, while he is still highly competitive, the father of four has been unable to beat Djokovic in four meetings at grand slam tournaments since the semi-finals of Wimbledon in 2012.

While the Serb is clearly on another level at the moment, having reached the finals of five consecutive majors - and winning four of them - he has given every indication he has room to improve even further, and his hunger for winning has room to grow.

"I think the experience of playing so many matches against these guys, being on the big stage, knowing what's at stake, knowing the importance and value of these tournaments and fighting for the trophy. I think that helps," he said when asked whether he had improved on last year's form that saw him finish with an 82-6 record.

"And the fact that I want to improve as everybody else. I'm not here because I played the same tennis I played last year. I feel like I'm playing better.

"I always strive to improve, not just the game or technically, tactically, but also mentally."

He also said he felt hungry like a wolf trying to get to the top of the mountain, rather than the one standing at the top that was satisfied with his achievements.

"Of course I want to enjoy (winning the Open), and I will, but it's not going to go more than few days," the world No.1 said.

"After that I already thinking about how can I continue on playing well throughout the rest of the season.

"Kind of a mindset that one needs to have if one wants to stay up there.

"'Cause I think you need to work double as hard when you're up there."