Novak Djokovic started his campaign at the Nitto ATP Finals with a convincing 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Pala Alpitour in Turin.
Djokovic has extended his lead over Tsitsipas to 10-2 in their 12 head-to-head matches. Earlier this year the Serbian star beat Tsitsipas in the Astana final and in the Paris Rolex Masters semifinal.
Djokovic has won 14 of his past 15 matches. He showed his impressive form against Tsitsipas by saving the only break point he faced in the match and did not drop his serve.
“I started the match very well. I knew that there is probably going to be a lot of easy-won service games from both him and I because the conditions are such where there is an altitude. It’s fast. It’s very difficult to return. If you are serving well, if you are hitting your spots well, being precise, being precise, you win a lot of free points. That was the case. From the beginning I knew that with the big servers like him, you have a good chance to get some opportunities maybe in the first and the second service game of your opponent, who serves well. That was the case. I closed out the match in the tie-break with two big serves. I managed to read his serve in the tie-break when I needed to. I made some great passing shots. It was a match decided by small margins really. Not much has separated the two of us. I knew that coming into the match that’s going to be the case”.
Djokovic has improved his seasonal record to 42 wins to 17 defeats. The former world number 1 player had a tough season as he was not able to play at two Grand Slam at the Australian Open and at the US Open as he was not unvaccinated.
“This year was different from all the other years that I had on the tour. It was very unusual for the circumstances obviously that occurred, particularly in the couple of months of the year. It was very tough for me to really find a balance that I need to play the best tennis with everything that was happening off the court after Australia. I think towards the end of the clay season, I started really playing the way I want to play, at the level that I desired. Wimbledon was such an important tournament for me, and it always comes really at exactly the time that I need it come. It was a successful tournament and a title- winning tournament. It was such a relief, but at the same time also a huge boost of confidence. I feel like all the tournaments I played after Wimbledon were played at a high level. I won two out of three and played finals at the third, which was Bercy last week. I started off the tournament well”, said Djokovic.
Djokovic is aiming his goal to equal Roger Federer’s record of six titles at the ATP Finals.
“Making history of this sport is always a big motivational factor. It does not affect the whole approach to the specific match because I am experienced enough and I know myself well and what I need to do in order to prepare for my next challenge and next opponent. I am aware of the possibility to make history again. It’s a great honour to be in that position. It motivates me and inspires me to play even better tennis”, said Djokovic.