Novak Djokovic reflects after extending two ‘huge’ records with Holger Rune victory

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Novak Djokovic at the 2023 ATP FINALS
Novak Djokovic looks on at the 2023 ATP FINALS

Novak Djokovic declared that securing the remarkable achievement of finishing a record-extending eighth year as ATP world No 1 “means a lot” after his opening 2023 ATP Finals win.

The Serbian legend admitted ending the season on top of the ATP Rankings was not something he was prioritising at the start of the season, but he was determined to clinch it at the first opportunity.

Djokovic, who needed only one win at the ATP Finals to seal the year-end No 1 position, battled past Holger Rune 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-3 in his opening match in Turin.

The 36-year-old has ended eight seasons as the top-ranked player on the ATP Tour, with his idol Pete Sampras in second place on six year-end No 1 finishes.

The 24-time Major champion also ensured his lead as the player with the most weeks spent as world No 1 will be extended and surpass the 400-week mark. Djokovic’s great rival Roger Federer sits second in this category with 310 weeks as No 1.

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

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Djokovic reflected on his record-extending year-end No 1 finish.

“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,” said the Serbian.

“I’m really glad that I managed to do that tonight. 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.

“At the beginning of the year, I really wasn’t prioritising that, I must say. I was prioritising 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. So I really went for it. Anything that happens from this moment onwards I guess in this tournament is a bonus for me.”

The world No 1 also discussed the challenge of facing Rune and admitted the ranking goal brought added tension to the match.

“Well, there were a lot of difficult moments. It was very challenging to play Holger, who I thought was on a very high level tonight. He had a very clear game plan. You could see that he was very sharp, very aggressive from the beginning, taking every chance he had to come to the net,” Djokovic assessed.

“He served very accurately, very precise, very strong. It was very difficult to find any, let’s say, holes in his game tonight. I really had to work very hard and battle, which was the case, to get the win. It lasted more than three hours. I think the longest match that I ever played here.

“I’m very glad that I managed to overcome this challenge because I felt like Holger was close, if not his best, but close to his best. Somehow whenever we face each other, it’s always a very close match. We play very similar styles of tennis. I think that’s probably also the contributor to close matches.

“There was extra tension for me I think knowing the win would clinch me the year No 1, so I was feeling that and frustrated at times tonight. In the important moments, I guess when it mattered, I found the right solution to win.”

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