Novak looks at recovery

World No.1 Novak Djokovic will focus nearly all his attention on his fitness and recovery ahead of Sunday night's Australian Open final against Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic booked his place in the showpiece after an epic 6-3 3-6 6-7 (4-7) 6-1 7-5 win over Andy Murray in one of the greatest matches ever played at Melbourne Park on Friday night.

The defending champion spent close to five hours on court and coupled with the fact that Nadal has an extra day's preparation, Djokovic knows he is already up against it.

"There is no secret it is going to be physical again. I will do my best to recover. I have a day and a half," he said.

"I will try to get as much sleep and recovery program underway and hope for the best."

"I think that's going to be crucial, you know, for me to recover and to be able to perform my best, because Rafa is fit. He's been playing well. He had an extra day. He definitely wants to win this title."

"I don't think I'll practice much. I think I had enough time spent on the court. Now it's all about recovery."

"That's going to be my main priority and concern the next day and a half, to physically be able to perform my best and be ready to play five sets."

"If I am able to do that, then I can believe that I can win."

Djokovic and Nadal have met an incredible 29 times already with the Spaniard holding a 16-13 advantage.

But the Serbian won all six meetings last year - all of which were in finals - including at Wimbledon and US Open.

"I know that I maybe have a mental edge because I've won six finals the five or six times we played in 2011 and I've had lots of success against him," he said.

"On the other hand, it's a new year. It's a new challenge. It's a different situation."

The breathing problems Djokovic was battling in his match against David Ferrer in the quarter-finals resurfaced again against Murray with the Serb struggling during the second and third sets when Murray was firmly on top.

Djokovic attributed the problem to an allergy, but didn't use it as an excuse for his drop in intensity against Murray.

"Yeah, I've seen doctor and I've talked with some people. I don't know. I've talked with couple of players that have a little allergy problems this year in Australia for now reason, ones they didn't have in last couple years but they had reactions this year," he said.

"I suppose that's my problem, as well. I've been trying to, you know, do everything possible to clear that out."

"But, you know, we are all surrounded with the flowers. It's really difficult to take that away."

"But still, you know, I mean, no excuses. It was very physical from both sides, from both players all the way through the end."

"For these kind of matches, you really practice all your life to be able to be a winner out of five sets."