World No 2 Novak Djokovic, enjoying a 24-0 winning record this season, said yesterday he was confident he can pass the supreme claycourt test by beating Rafael Nadal on the Spaniard's favourite surface.

"Nadal is the best in the world, he is dominant on clay, but this year I am playing against him with much more self-confidence," said Djokovic where he is top seed at the Belgrade tournament this week.



Djokovic has beaten Nadal twice this year, on the hardcourts of Indian Wells and Miami, but is stepping onto clay for the first time this season in his hometown.

Nadal "does impossible things because he improves his performance on the clay every year," Djokovic said.
"By such approach he is forcing all other tennis players to improve.

"He motivates me, (Roger) Federer and all the others to be better," he added.u00a0