2023 season has been one historic year for Novak Djokovic. In a season when pundits and other legends have hailed the NextGen players to take over the court from the old boys, Djokovic came up with a brilliant classic. The Serbian star has won virtually every major title, including three Grand Slam and two ATP Masters 1000, titles that every young player would have cherished to win.
After spending 25 out of 45 weeks on the No. 1 spot, the 36-year-old star defeated Holger Rune at the ATP Finals in Turin to ensure he claimed his 8th Year-End No.1 ranking.
Novak Djokovic talks on securing world No. 1 rank
Novak Djokovic earned his earned his first game victory against Holger Rune 7-6(4), 6-7(1), 6-3 in Green Group to ensure he claims the coveted ATP Year-End No. 1 for a record-extending eighth time. The six-time Nitto ATP Finals champion Djokovic also guaranteed himself a historic 400th week overall as World No. 1 in the 20 November edition ATP Rankings.
“It took everything,” said Djokovic. “I saw in the first game, when he fired shots from the baseline in the first three or four points, I knew that it was going to be a tough life for me. If I wanted to win this match, I was going to have to work really hard… He was feeling the ball well, he was sharp. Very aggressive, every short ball he was coming in and he served terrific.”
Djokovic first victory of the season came at the Adelaide ATP 500 in January, and he now owns a record 52-5 following his opening victory in Turin and a 14-3 record vs Top 10.
“It means a lot,” said Djokovic of ensuring he will end the year as World No. 1. “You could see there were a lot of emotions on the court. I could feel it. I was very eager to win tonight’s match, get that monkey off my back. I won Paris, which put me in a much better position rankings-wise, and I knew coming into Turin I only needed to win one match. A big goal is achieved, everything else now is a bonus.”
Novak Djokovic’s path to reaching another milestone has already become straight and looks likely to defend the Nitto ATP Finals title in the coming days, after gaining strong points against debutant Holger Rune. Although Rune showed plenty of quality inside the Pala Alpitour arena, there was no chance for him to win against a coordinated Djokovic.
Novak Djokovic pays homage to Kobe Bryant
Novak Djokovic paid tribute to basketball legend Kobe Bryant after securing his 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open in September. The Serbian star had defeated Daniil Medvedev and put on a shirt that read ‘Mamba Forever’, with a photo of Djokovic and Bryant.
“I thought of doing this T-shirt eventually if I got the chance to win the tournament. It was about seven days ago. I didn’t share it with anyone until a few days ago when I asked my people to help me out to make this shirt,” Novak Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony. “Kobe was a close, close friend. We chatted a lot about the winner’s mentality when I was struggling with an injury and trying to make my comeback, work my way back to the top of the game.”
Kobe Bryant legacy still remains uncliched in sport and has been crowned as one of the greatest athletes of all time by many followers, fans and journalist.
