at will be the takeaway for most people if Djokovic does. It

After signing a new contract to stay at the dominant Mercedes team for another two years, Nico Rosberg appears to be in his prime. He made a near-perfect start to the season, but at the halfway point has once again found himself behind on points to Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton. In an exclusive interview, the German sits down with ESPN to discuss the most difficult thing about being Hamiltons teammate, how being in the glare of the media impacts the battle and how he intends to deal with the situation. When your new contract expires in 2018, you will have been with Mercedes for nine years. The only driver who has stayed at one team for more consecutive years is Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, so what is it thats made you and Mercedes stick together? I think, going back, its because I started from day one [in 2010]. Ive been part of this process, I went through loads of downs that were pretty deep and then the up parts now as well. I think they appreciate that I make an effort towards my job and Im really passionate about the whole thing and I always try to be very respectful to all my colleagues. But why does it work? I think its because its a successful partnership, you know? We have been very successful together, and crucial for me was to beat Michael [Schumacher] at the time for my career going forward, and I managed to do that. From then on its been going well.Do you think your reputation in the paddock took a big step up when you beat Michael Schumacher between 2010 and 2012? I think its gone up every year. Its never gone down, its kept going up.But was beating Michael the one step that really made a big difference? Of course -- to beat the best of all time.How much did Lewis Hamiltons arrival at Mercedes in 2013 change the team dynamic? I think it raised the game for all of us. Lewis is a great driver, very competitive and one of the best out there. The two of us against each other, we really push each other more and more, and that does raise the bar a good step again.Media influenceDid things change again when you started to fight for titles in 2014? It changed a lot, yeah. Being able to win every race is a totally different situation, but its just amazing and awesome -- and it is awesome still. Its been going for so long now, which is pretty unreal. Its a great experience. But the pressure is always the same, because the pressure is massive when you are driving to 11th and 12th also, because that is not acceptable. OK, theres a bit more interest and ... well, the media changes a lot, because all of a sudden you guys [in the media] are interested, and when you are finishing 11th and 12th theres just no interest. Funnily enough, you guys do have power, even on us insiders.Does the media have that big an impact? Whats an example? What you write affects my engineers who sit next to me. They could just ask me when Im sitting right next to them, but no, they are affected by what they are reading on their computers and with what you write.Do you ever think of applying a strategy to your answers to the press to gain an advantage -- to start playing the media? Play the media? I want to drive fast in a race car, thats what I want to do. But of course, yes, I do need to take you guys seriously and you do have an influence. That is something we discuss internally and prepare for, and we have media briefings to plan for what to expect and things like that.Being Lewis Hamiltons teammateSo whats the toughest thing about going up against Lewis? The toughest thing? Its his speed -- thats it!Does he have the edge on you in general? I dont think about in such a sense. The fact is I can beat him when I have a good weekend, but the fact is also that hes beaten me the last two years over a championship year, and he is now ahead of me at the moment. That means up to now he has done a better job. But there is still a long way to go and its very close, we have done half the season and we are very close on points, so it will keep being a good battle all the way to the end. I just want to beat him in as many races as possible and then we will see where we are.In the past youve said you have a neutral relationship with Lewis, how is it now? Its up and down. Its always going to be difficult, there is always so much going on and always so much at stake. We have the necessary respect and its a good battle.Talking about respect, how did you feel about Lewis going to see race director Charlie Whiting to seek clarification about your pole position lap in Hungary? I didnt know about it first of all, and even now I dont think to myself about such details. Im easy going about it, I just think its interesting to see how hes become such a safety freak all of a sudden. That right after a double-yellow flag he decides to go to the people in charge and discuss it.It sounds like there is subtext to what you are saying? Wheres the subtext?Youre saying that because its a situation where you had pole, he changed the way he usually approaches those things... No, I just said it was interesting.What interests you about it then? Well, hes not known for being such a safety freak.Then why do you think he was in that instance? Youd have to ask him.Living in the momentThere will be some big regulations changes in 2017, can you see that upsetting Mercedes dominance? We are such an awesome team now, you know? Yes, it could upset our dominance, but we will be there or there abouts at least. Maybe not as dominant now, thats possible because its a huge change, but well do well.Does it put any extra pressure on this years title fight knowing that this could be the last year of dominance? No. I dont think about that, thats so far ahead. Just be in the moment, make the most of it, because next year we could be even more dominant, because we could make the most of the new rules! Who knows?!You often say you like to live in the moment... No, thats what I do. Thats not what I like, thats what I do.Okay, but is that the same approach you have in life in general? Is it a philosophy of yours? It is the best approach, even for life in general. For well-being, thats the way to go, be in the moment. Dont think about your hopes, desires or past experiences -- but thats the most difficult thing to do.Where did you learn that approach from? I like to read about such stuff -- in general stuff about the way we are and the way we think.Going back many years to the early part of your career, you had a seat to go to university at Imperial College but you decided to race in GP2 instead. Do you remember what was going through your mind when you chose racing over university? All my friends that I went to school with were going to university -- that was the next step in life -- but my next step was completely at a T-junction and went in the other direction. That felt a bit weird and I thought that university could be cool anyway, so I wanted to do that. Then I thought maybe I could do that and racing, but it was never realistic and I was a bit of a dreamer. I went, took a gap year, and never went to university of course because it doesnt work to do both. It was never realistic, but I dreamt I could maybe do it.Clearly you have a desire to learn, but what can you do in Formula One to learn so that you have an edge over other drivers? In Formula One you learn so much! At a very young age you are straight into one of the worlds leading companies and you go straight to the top of it, or just below, so you are speaking with the bosses and you are responsible for the motivation of the whole team, respecting everybody and the human interactions that go with that. You have a huge responsibility and you learn so much as a young guy in the sport and Im really grateful for that because I have made such a lot of progress as human being as a result. Its very obvious to me.So when you compare yourself now to how you were when you first entered the sport, how big a change has there been? Its huge. Self-confidence, for example, how to interact with other human beings, especially your colleagues, how to push them with it sounding like a positive rather than a negative, and also how to receive pushes yourself -- to take them positively rather than negatively. Its all so difficult to do, because when you get criticised everybody goes straight into a negative state of mind and blocks it off and says no, Im not having that. To use it as a positive is a big challenge, but for sure I do that better now than I used to.To be a world champion is also a psychological challenge, isnt it? The mind plays a big role always in sport, for sure.Do you feel you now have everything you need in that regard to be a world champion now? Time will tell. Wholesale Penguins Jerseys . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. Penguins Jerseys 2019 . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. https://www.cheappenguinsjersey.com/ .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Penguins Jerseys 2020 . After Martin Skrtel put the Reds in front from close range at Stamford Bridge after only four minutes, Hazard hit back in the 17th with a superb strike. Etoo gave Jose Mourinhos team a decisive lead from Oscars back pass in the 34th. Pittsburgh Penguins Pro Shop . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals. Were down to the final regular-season match of the year, and the stakes couldnt be higher. Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic will play in the championship match of the ATP World Tour Finals (ESPN2 & WatchESPN, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) with the winner also snaring the year-end No. 1 ranking. This scenario has never happened.So who has the advantage? Hometown boy Murray or the much fresher Djokovic? Our writers weigh in.What does this match mean for mens tennis?Nic Atkin: Murray said it would be the perfect way to end the season, and I have to agree. While Im sure the crowd wouldnt have minded seeing Murray beat Nishikori in the final, any other matchup would have been a letdown.Peter Bodo: The match is a tribute to the quality and diversity of the field in mens tennis. It demonstrates how quickly the landscape can change, considering how far in front Djokovic was in the rankings as recently as June. It also validates the concept of a year-end final. Imagine the debate we would be having about the No. 1 ranking this year if the season had ended with the Paris Masters 1000. Now we will have a clear-cut answer.Greg Garber: This, as the U.S. president-elect would say, is huge. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal -- and Serena Williams, too -- all falling off their classic games, here are the two best-matched rivals in the game. One match for No. 1. It doesnt get any better than that.Johnette Howard: This is a rousing end to a mixed bag of a year in which Federer and Nadal were absent for long stretches. Even Djokovic -- the most reliable man in the game in recent years -- hit an unexpected trough. Given whats at stake here -- Murrays late-career chance to finally experience being No. 1 after years of never-say-die work versus Djokovics rallying to show he isnt giving up the top ranking without a fight -- this could be a memorable match.How will the pressure affect Murray?Atkin: There will be a lot of weight on Murrays shoulders. While he has overtaken Djokovic at the top of the rankings, he hasnt beaten the Serb on the way to No. 1 this year. Murray needs to show he is done playing second fiddle.Bodo: Murray has played his way into a zone where he probably wont be feeling much pressure at all, at least not the usual kind. Hes in a groove, playing lots of matches and winning them all, including two marathons this week. Murray will feel nervous, though, and he should. Nerves are just a sign that a players physical and neurological systems are going on high alert.Garber: I dont think pressure is the issue here. Against Raonic in the semifinals, Murray rose to the big occasion, again and again -- even saved a match point. I think the fact that hes played two three-hour-plus matches in a span of four days will be more telling.Howard: Playing in London agrees with Murray. He won Olympic gold there, not just Wimbledon. I think hell grouse, grimace, bluster and yell throughout. Hell play stretches of sensational tennis. But the match will not be over quickly. He will lose some games he shouldnt, especially if his legs are tired, and make it a nail-biteer.dddddddddddd.What does Djokovic need to do to maintain his dominance against Murray?Atkin: Djokovic doesnt need to change anything physically. He will be far fresher than Murray. Djokovic just needs to make sure he keeps his cool and doesnt get wound up by the mental distractions that have plagued him in the second half of 2016.Bodo: The main themes for Djokovic should be consistency and serve efficiency. Murray still has lapses, struggles with his form and gets frustrated. Those can be exploited. Murray is returning very well and very aggressively. Djokovic needs to ramp up the efficiency of his own service game the way Murray has his these past few months.Garber: Play his crazy, all-court game. He looked ridiculously dominant against Nishikori, especially returning serve. Djokovic has won 16 of his past 19 matches against Murray, something the Scot will have a hard time discounting as he prepares for this.Howard: I think the three-set format favors Djokovic. He has the potential to win points quicker. Hes the better shot-maker and bigger risk-taker, whereas Murray is often risk-adverse and often gets worse when more is at stake. Djokovic has arguably the best service-return game in history, too, so if Murrays serve is off at all, hell find trouble.Who needs this win more?Atkin: Murray, for sure. If he loses, then doubt will still be at the back of his mind going into next season that his best still isnt good enough to beat Djokovic when the Serb is playing his best.Bodo: Djokovic needs to win this more because the rumors that hes lost something are growing louder and louder, while the chorus for Murray is all positive. Hes finally hitting his stride. Nobody is going to think Murray has dropped a level as a player if he loses this, but that will be the takeaway for most people if Djokovic does. Its especially true in light of Djokovics outstanding record at the O2.Garber: Its pretty much of a wash, but Ill say Djokovic. Murray has had a wonderful run, winning 22 consecutive matches, which matches his career high. Hell head into 2017 with a lot of optimism, regardless of the result. Djokovic needs this one to get back on track.Howard: Murray. Hes had to soldier on in the greatest era of mens tennis ever. Hes always been the junior partner in the Big Four and has always remained determined to chase Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, who all have double-digit major title totals. Murray has to know he may not get another chance to climb this mountain and be No. 1 again. So if not now, then when?Prediction?Atkin: Andy Murray ... in 3 hours, 39 minutes.Bodo: This week Murray has played two of the three longest three-set ATP matches of the year, and hell go into the final barely 24 hours after finishing the longest of those. So what? Andy is a juggernaut; mind over matter leads him to win in three.Garber: After Saturdays results, Djokovic in two.Howard: Murray in an upset squeaker. Djokovic rips another shirt. ' ' '