Novak Djokovic has admitted it is a “huge” achievement to end the year as the world No 1. The Serbian confirmed he will sit at the top of the men’s game following his victory over Holger Rune at the ATP Finals on Sunday.
Djokovic knew just one victory at the tournament in Turin would see him end the year as No 1 for the eighth time in his career. He beat Rune in three sets as he attempts to win his seventh season-ending championship.
Djokovic has seen off strong competition from Carlos Alcaraz this year to win three Grand Slam singles titles, with the Spaniard defeating him in the final of the one he didn’t win at Wimbledon. The 36-year-old was desperate to seal year-end No 1 this week and do it at the earliest opportunity.
He said: “It’s huge. It means a lot obviously. I knew coming into the tournament here I needed only one win to clinch the year-end No. 1. I really wanted that to happen already tonight.
“I didn’t want to prolong in a way the situation and complicate in a way this particular goal. I’m really glad that I managed to do that tonight.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community to be the first to receive breaking and exclusive tennis news
Read more… Raducanu suffers huge rankings drop but injured star has neat route back to top
“It always has been a huge objective and huge goal of mine to be No. 1 in the world. Other than Grand Slams, that’s what counts the most. To finish off the year as No 1 in the world at this stage of my life and career is something really amazing.”
Djokovic says winning Slams was his main aim heading into 2023 and he has equalled Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 major singles titles. But once he could sense No 1 was a real possibility, he made it one of his priorities.
He added: “At the beginning of the year, I really wasn’t prioritizing that, I must say. I was prioritizing more Grand Slams.
“Because of the great results, particularly in Grand Slams, accumulated points, I think I put myself in a very good position to fight for year-end No. 1. Winning Paris put me in a great position.
- Support fearless journalism
- Read The Daily Express online, advert free
- Get super-fast page loading
Don’t miss…
Novak Djokovic will never match one Roger Federer feat despite obscene success[OPINION]
Rafael Nadal will hope not to draw World No 436 John Millman at Australian Open[COMMENT]
Alcaraz concedes to Djokovic as he shares rare insight into Serb’s training[QUOTES]
“So I really went for it. Anything that happens from this moment onwards I guess in this tournament is a bonus for me.”
Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner in his second match in Turin on Tuesday evening. He is expecting tough competition when assessing his opponents.
Djokovic said: “I mean, Jannik probably has a better forehand, I would say. Holger of tonight played extremely high level.
“I think Holger of tonight could win against Sinner and against anybody that he would face on the court. Will be very interesting to see how he matches with other players in the group.”
Source: Read Full Article