In a season where many pundits and analysts believed the next generation of players would flourish, Novak Djokovic came from behind and stole the show. After failing to finish 2022 as world no. 1, the Serbian made sure he sealed the year-end top spot even before the middle of November.
In a season in which Djokovic has proven that at 36 he could still do more, the tennis star won three out of four Grand Slams, two ATP 1000 Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals title in Turin, beating home favorite Jannik Sinner in the final, surpassing Roger Federer’s record.
Djokovic secures crowns 2023 a highlight year
Novak Djokovic revealed that he had enjoyed a very, very special year after adding the Nitto ATP Finals title to his 2023 trophy collection. The Serbian was in impressive form and Turin made sure Jannik Sinner never took the final of the Nitto ATP Finals to tie break, winning the tournament for a record seventh time.
For the 36-year-old Serbian, who finishes the season as world No. 1 for the eighth time in his career, it ends what has been a sterling season, even by his standards. Novak Djokovic claimed his first title this season at the ATP 500 event in Adelaide before clinching his 10th Australian Open title, French Open and US Open, reaching the final of Wimbledon but losing to Carlos Alcaraz, who challenged him for the No. 1 ranking over the last year. Also, he won the Cincinnati Masters and the Rolex Paris Masters.
Speaking after his win, Novak Djokovic reflected on his success and the challenges posed by younger players such as Sinner and Alcaraz. “Very, very special. One of the best seasons I’ve had in my life, no doubt. To crown it with a win against the hometown hero Jannik who has played amazing tennis this week. It’s phenomenal,” Djokovic said.
“You know, I’m very proud of the performances these last two days against Alcaraz and Sinner. You know, probably the best two players in the world, you know, next to me and [Daniil] Medvedev at the moment and the way they have been playing, I had to step it up. I had to, you know, win the matches and not wait for them to hand me the victory, and that’s what I’ve done.”
Novak Djokovic claims seventh ATP Finals title by beating Sinner
World no. 1 Novak Djokovic ended the year on high just as he started it by setting a new record of 7 Nitto ATP Finals title. The Serbian star took 1 hour, 43 minutes to win 6-3, 6-3 against Jannik Sinner, as he continues to reach new heights at the age of 36.
“One of the best seasons I’ve had in my life, no doubt,” Djokovic said. “To crown it with a win against a hometown hero in Jannik, who has played amazing tennis this week, is phenomenal. I think I’ve tactically played different today than I have in the group stage against Jannik – and just overall, a great week.”
“I think today he played really, really good, especially in the back of the court,” Sinner said of Djokovic. “For one and a half set, he served really, really good. It was tough to play.”
Novak Djokovic began the year with a record-extending 10th Australian Open title and went on to claim his 23rd Grand Slam singles trophy at the French Open, breaking Rafael Nadal’s mark. He only lost once in the final to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon but took his revenge at the Cincinnati Masters and also won the US Open, taking his tally to 24 Grand Slams.
What was Djokovic’s best season in your opinion? Make sure to let us know in the comments section.
