The tireless title collector Novak Djokovic crowned a sensational year with a befitting triumph at the ATP Finals in Turin.
Novak Djokovic clenched his fist and shouted his joy, then the tennis superstar from Belgrade rushed to his family in the stands and distributed kisses to the two kids. In the final of the ATP Finals in Turin, the Grand Slam record champion made short work of local hero Jannik Sinner 6:3, 6:3, defended his title – and, with his seventh success, became the sole record winner in the prestigious year-end tournament.
“One of the best seasons I’ve played in my life,” said the world number one beaming after his next coup: “It’s something very special, I’m very proud of my performance.”
Djokovic got off to a great start in the match
Five days earlier, Djokovic had been beaten in three sets against Sinner in the group phase, but the 36-year-old now achieved revenge with a dominant final performance. The Serb thus maintained his streak at the ATP Finals: “Djoker” has never lost twice against the same opponent during one event.
In front of a sold-out crowd, Djokovic started the game more than confidently. He managed three of his service games in the first set to zero, hit seven strong aces – and offered a lot of resistance to Sinner’s service. The result: a quick break with which Djokovic made it 3-1.
The picture hardly changed in the second set either, Djokovic showed his best tennis. First he took the serve from Sinner without losing any points, then he remained flawless again with his own service. But Sinner fought back, every point he scored sparked loud cheers from the Tifosi. The highlight: game seven, which Sinner secured after 16 minutes and fended off two break points. But Djokovic remained unimpressed – and converted his first match point after 1:44 hours.
Djokovic, who left six-time champion Roger Federer (Switzerland) behind him, once again wrote history – as he did with his Grand Slam titles 22 to 24 this year in Melbourne, Paris and New York. Only at Wimbledon did he lose in the final to the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, and Djokovic is still the measure of all things.
Sinner prevented Djokovic from leaving in the preliminary round
The fact that he was able to compete in the final was also due to the audience’s favorite Sinner, who only suffered his first defeat in the last match of the tournament and missed out on the record fee of around 4.8 million US dollars.
Because Djokovic had lost his group game against Sinner in three sets and then only reached the semi-finals thanks to his help. There he impressed against Alcaraz, who was 16 years his junior – and then also against Sinner in the second attempt.