Novak Djokovic insists that only when he starts practising on clay does he think about the tournament that has denied him a career set of major titles, and in 2015 also, theoretically, cost him the grand slam. But this time every year, as soon as the season's first big title has been decided, the talk turns to the next.
That starts on   May 23 at Roland Garros, where the man who has collected two US Opens and three Wimbledons and now owns a record-equalling sixth Australian championship, will attempt to win his first French. 
"Of course I try. I never give up. I felt like the last couple of years that I've been going back to Paris and playing that I was getting a step closer," said Djokovic, a three-time runner-up whose loss to Stan Wawrinka last year was his sole defeat in his past five slams.
"Of course, it's a slightly different sensation, different feeling, when I'm playing in the French Open because of the fact that I never won and because everybody expects me to win it."
He tries to deflect the distractions, and will largely stick with the same routines and lead-up schedule. "I don't think that I've done anything wrong in terms of playing events before the French Open, I think they are very important for me to build my form and confidence on that surface," he said. "I'll just work hard and stay patient, and persistent, have a good attitude ... and I'm sure the opportunity will come."
Djokovic has taken all six of his finals chances on Rod Laver Arena, including Sunday's 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) defeat of second seed Andy Murray that preceded 11 TV interviews, two photo shoots, the press conference in two languages and some on-site celebrating. A subdued night, relatively, but still a momentous one for the fastidiously prepared super-athlete with the exemplary diet and no real taste for alcohol, who - yes, really - looked slightly fatigued at Government House for Monday's post-final feeding of the media chooks.
"Those nights after late finishes and after the grand slam is done are more or less sleepless because of the adrenalin rush and all the thoughts that go through your mind," he said, having been awake until about 5am. "But I think more than tired I'm released, I'm relaxed, and I think that's one of the best feelings I get to experience after winning a grand slam is actually it's done and then you can relax at least for a week after this."
That will be at home in Monaco with wife Jelena and toddler son Stefan, as Djokovic's final duty before leaving town was an appearance at an early learning centre in Melbourne's west that was a beneficiary of a $20,000 donation from the Novak Djokovic Foundation.
The latest trophy, he described as "a great wind in my back" for a season he hopes will be as exceptional as his three-slam 2015. The most outstanding player of the moment, whose 11th major draws him level with Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg in fifth place on the all-time list behind 17-slam guy Roger Federer, admits his ambition is to be rated among the greatest ever. But, then, we knew that.
"Well, I need to be honest and say that it is in the back of my mind, and it serves as an encouraging fact, or a goal or motivation, an incentive for the challenges and for the next period in my career," he said.
"Obviously, being 28 and being at the peak of my abilities I feel like I can achieve much more. How far I can go I don't know, it's an individual sport so a lot can happen, and everything depends on you so I hope that I'm able to still respect and live this kind of lifestyle that helped me to reach this point of my career and my life, and I have a great support of my family and my team of people, and if it stays that way I don't think anything is unreachable."
Including the French success he covets, but is determined will not consume him, Djokovic says he is happy and fulfilled in his private life, and has already achieved so much professionally that "whether or not I win the French Open, it's not gonna change significantly the way I look at my career," he said. "Of course, it will be nice if I get to win it at least once before I stop playing tennis, but I'm not gonna stress myself too much about it."