Novak Djokovic has become the most decorated player in ATP finals history after storming past Jannik Sinner in the title match on Sunday.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was in ruthless form throughout his 6-3, 6-3, win over the 22-year-old in what was a case of sweet revenge. Earlier in the week, he lost to Sinner in the round-robin stage. His latest performance saw him blast 20 winners and win 91% of his first service points.
Djokovic’s triumph has seen him break more records in the sport with the Serbian becoming the first player to have won the ATP Finals for a seventh time. He is the oldest man to have ever won the tournament and the only one to have captured the title across three separate decades.
“It’s very special. This is one of the best seasons I have had in my life, no doubt. To crown it with a win against the hometown hero, Jannk, who has played amazing tennis this week is phenomenal.” Djokovic told TennisTV.
Less than 24 hours after his comprehensive win over Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic was once again in clinical form from the start of his latest clash against Sinner. Impressively winning 12 out of his first 14 service points in the final. Djokovic broke Sinner in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead following three consecutive unforced errors from his rival. However, one of those mistakes (which gave the top seed his first break point) was actually in but the home favorite opted not to challenge that call. Continuing to dictate proceedings with the use of heavy shot-making and some sublime defensive play, Djokovic sealed the opener in just 38 minutes after a Sinner forehand error.
The 36-year-old continued his onslaught into the second frame which he began by winning 10 points in a row. Prompting Sinner, who continued to be cheered on by the crowd throughout, to at one stage look towards his camp for advice on what to do.
Embed from Getty ImagesAdmibally Sinner continued fighting on the court with the world No.4 holding his nerve to hold serve during a roller-coaster 16-minute service game to close the deficit to 3-4. However, that was still not enough to stop Djokovic who sealed victory on his first championship point following a double fault by his opponent.
“I’m very proud of my performances over the last two days against Alcaraz and Sinner. They are probably the best two players in the world next to me and Medvedev at the moment,” said Djokovic.
“The way they have been playing, I had to step it up. I had to win the matches and not wait for them to hand me the victory. That’s what I did. I think I tactically played differently today than I did in the group stage against Jannik. Overall, it has been a phenomenal week.”
Among those watching Djokovic win were his two children, Stefan and Tara, who he embraced just moments after his match concluded.
“I always wanted to perform in front of them once they reached the age that they were aware of what is going on,” he explains.
“I’m so grateful to be the father of these two wonderful angels. They give me strength no doubt.”
The defeat will be a bitter pill for Sinner to swallow. He ends his season with 12 wins over top 10 players and 61 victories overall. The most that has ever been achieved by an Italian player in the Open Era on the ATP Tour. He is also the first player under the age of 23 to reach the final of the season-ending event without losing a match since Roger Federer in 2003.
As for Djokovic, he has now won 50 matches at the ATP Finals so far in his career which is the second-highest in history after Federer (56).
