Novak Djokovic is set to conclude the year as the world number one for an unprecedented eighth time, a record achieved after a hard-fought victory against Holger Rune at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, clinched the match 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (1/7), 6-3 in a thrilling three-hour contest, extending his winning streak to 19 consecutive matches.
The victory not only solidifies Djokovic’s status as the year-end world number one but also adds another chapter to his extraordinary year. The 36-year-old tennis icon has claimed three Grand Slam titles in 2023, setting a new record for the most major titles won.
Djokovic arrived at the ATP Finals following his seventh triumph at the Paris Masters, marking his 40th victory at a Masters 1000 event.
Reflecting on the achievement, Djokovic expressed, “It means a lot. You could see that there were a lot of emotions on the court. Obviously, a big objective, a big goal has been achieved, everything else now is a bonus.”
In the encounter against Rune, Djokovic displayed his dominance by clinching the opening set in a tie-break, only to face a resilient Rune who secured the second set. The pivotal moment came in the third set when Djokovic, after briefly losing his composure, steadied himself to claim the historic win.
Jannik Sinner, representing the home crowd, started his ATP Finals campaign on a high note, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4. The Italian sensation, enjoying his best season to date, aims to become the first Italian to finish a season in the ATP top five.
The ATP Finals in Turin promises more excitement, with young talent Carlos Alcaraz set to make his debut against Alexander Zverev. Djokovic’s closest challenger, Zverev, enters the tournament with uncertain form, having faced an early exit from the Paris Masters.
As Djokovic continues his pursuit of a seventh ATP Finals title, he acknowledges the challenges posed by the younger generation, stating, “If I want to keep up with these youngsters, I’m going to have to work even harder!”
Source: AFP
