Novak Djokovic seals GOAT legacy with No 1 ranking after epic racket smash at ATP Finals

Kevin Palmer
Novak Djokovic is year-end world No 1 for 2023
Novak Djokovic is year-end world No 1 for 2023

Novak Djokovic was pushed all the way by Holger Rune in his opening match at the ATP Finals in Turin, but his 7-6(4) 6-7(1) 6-3 win ensured he secured one of his final two remaining goals in a remarkable 2023.

After a dominant year for the Serbian legend, he needed just one more victory to wrap up the year-end world No 1 ranking and he found a way to get over the line in another titanic tussle with Rune.

Djokovic holds a record of 40-3 at the ATP Finals after claiming the opening set, winning his last such 10 at the event.

So it looked ominous for Rune when he surrendered a high-quality first set to the world No 1, but this feisty youngster found a way to fight back and take the second set.

Predictably, Djokovic moved through the gears in the third set and despite smashing two rackets in a fit of rage after he dropped his serve at the start of the decider and smash two rackets, the great champion prevailed to secure another famous record.

Djokovic already held the record for finishing the season with the most year-end world No 1 titles, but he has now extended that total to eight and he suggested it was a moment to savour.

“It took everything to win that match,” admitted Djokovic.

“The first game when he fired shots from the baseline in the first three or four points, I knew it would be a tough match for me. If I wanted to win this match, I knew I had to work really, really hard.

“He was feeling the ball well, he was sharp, very aggressive, coming into the net. I thought he played great.

“I played great at some moments, but overall a win is a win.

“After a terrible second set tie-break, I played a really solid first set and third.”

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Djokovic went on to suggest the emotion of the moment of achieving another year-end No 1 success added to the pressure he felt.

“The significance of this match and clinching the year-end No 1 was added pressure and tension,” he added.

“You could see what it meant. There was a lot of emotion on the court at the end.

“I won Paris and that put me in a great position coming into Torino, just needing to win one match. Everything from this point is a bonus.”

Rune’s brand of brash tennis clearly troubles Djokovic and that may explain why he crushed two rackets in a moment of rage at the start of the third set.

The handshake between the two players at the end of the match lacked a little warmth, as Djokovic may not enjoy the confident antics of his young rival.

Yet for now, he still has the measure of everyone in the men’s game and will be the player to beat at this year’s ATP Finals.

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