Djokovic happy despite poor Masters 

SHANGHAI, China (AP) -- Novak Djokovic lost all three of his matches at the Masters Cup. He never lost his sense of humor.

Along with the skills worthy of a No. 3 ranking, the 20-year-old Serbian gained a reputation for his quick quips and impersonations of top players such as Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova. His spoofs have drawn more than a million viewers on YouTube.

Djokovic managed to remain upbeat after a 6-4, 6-4 loss to Nadal on Thursday even though he didn't win a set in the round robin of the season-ending tournament featuring the top eight players.

After all, it's been a pretty good year for the guy with the wicked serve and powerful groundstrokes. He reached the final of the U.S. Open against top-ranked Roger Federer, won five singles titles and earned $3.3 million.

"I had a lot of amazing moments and a lot of good memories," Djokovic said. "Probably I would say that one of the most amazing feelings I had this year in memories was the U.S. Open final when I played in front of so many people."

But playing nearly 100 matches -- and meeting the increasing demands for endorsements and personal appearances -- took a toll. Djokovic was clearly exhausted here, showing flashes of brilliance but often muttering or looking skyward for divine intervention as shots sailed long, wide or into the net.

Now he wants to rest before working to get better for next year.

"I'm going to go somewhere far, far away from everybody," Djokovic said with a smile, after joking that he was heading straight back to the practice court. "Rest is something which is necessary for me and the most important thing in this moment. It's been a long year."

He has already set some lofty goals for the future.

"I think everybody's dream, from every tennis player, is to win a Grand Slam," Djokovic said. "I always was dreaming to win Wimbledon because I think, in my opinion, that's the tournament with the biggest tradition. But, you know, the lifetime goal is to be the No. 1 player of the world."

But to challenge Federer and second-ranked Nadal, Djokovic said he needs to get stronger and more consistent.

"We all know how dominant those two players are," he said.

When asked if he will continue with his impersonations, Djokovic seemed reluctant at first.

"Well, it takes physical energy," he said. "Whatever takes physical energy, I won't do it."

Then came the smile again.

"Yeah, maybe for the next year I will prepare something new," he said.

In the meantime, Andy Roddick was trying to figure out the best way to do an impression of Djokovic, whose tendency to bounce the ball up to 20 or more times before he serves might not make for good video.

"I could make like eight phone calls and order a pizza by the time you hit a service," Roddick told Djokovic before the tournament.