After winning the ATP Finals: Novak Djokovic – so good that it almost hurts

Status: 11/21/2022 7:53 p.m

Novak Djokovic presented himself from his best side at the ATP Finals. The competition can’t find a way to divert the Serbs from their path to success. In any case, the 35-year-old is not thinking of ending his career – on the contrary.

Casper Ruud couldn’t hide the uneasiness, the frustration. Once again Novak Djokovic had brought one of his irrepressible backhand shots down the line unreachable to the target. Once again, the Norwegian was just a spectator of this Djokovic show at the ATP Finals in Turin (7: 5, 6: 3). A superiority of the 35-year-old that almost hurt.

Five wins in a row, winning the fabulous sum of 4.7 million euros: Djokovic is back on top. At least felt. He ends the season only in fifth place in the world rankings. But: How special this performance is is shown by the fact that Djokovic, because of his vaccination status, is neither at the Australian Open still with them US Open was allowed to compete because he was not given permission to enter the country.

Like a good wine

And also for his win at Grand Slam-Tournament in Wimbledon he did not collect any world ranking points this year. The reason for this was the tournament exclusion of the players from Russia and Belarus because of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

Much more worrying for the competition, however, is that Djokovic was hardly able to gain any playing practice at a high level during these (exile) times. Because of course he couldn’t take part in either the Australian tour or the tournament tour in the USA. And the experiences matches playing against strong competitors is actually of existential importance for all tennis professionals – and of course the world ranking points.

Apparently none of this bothers the Serbs. His basic level is so high that he can apparently compete with all opponents on the ATP tour, regardless of his competitive level. Djokovic seems to only get better with age – like fine wine.

The boys lack consistency

Unlike his competitor Rafael Nadal, who has been a great competitor for over a decade, it was clear to see in Turin that the permanent injuries and the forced breaks associated with them were painfully draining the now 36-year-old.

Djokovic, who, unlike Nadal or Roger Federer, was never the favorite of all fans and tended to polarize with his gestures and habitus, rarely determines the entire game. But he always manages to keep up against the younger and more explosive opponents – and to show his best performances in the decisive moments. In Turin alone, Djokovic won four of his five tiebreaks.

The young generation of tennis professionals hardly ever manages to show the consistency that is absolutely necessary to defeat Djokovic. His fitness, his understanding of the game and his repertoire are so extensive that the “Young Generations” around Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Felix Auger-Aliassime and a few others often have to learn the lesson.

Favorite Down Under

“Continuing to make history is always something that motivates me to play my best tennis”, said Djokovic in Turin. He wants to be the best – nothing more and nothing less. The Serb’s ambition is unbroken. And his biggest goal is likely to be the most Grand Slam-winning title. With 22 titles, Nadal currently has one more than Djokovic.

Djokovic will be allowed to go to the next year Australian Open (01/16/2023 – 01/29/2023), he has received a special permit from the government there. He will be the big favorite there again. Djokovic just can’t be stopped.

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