Novak Djokovic happy with ‘phenomenal’ season after claiming ATP Finals success for record-breaking seventh time

Novak Djokovic mentioned that he had loved a “very, very particular” 12 months after including the ATP Finals to his three Grand Slams and two Masters for his 2023 haul.

For the 36-year-old Serbian, who finishes the season as world No. 1 as soon as extra, it ends what has been a sterling 12 months, even by his requirements.

Djokovic has claimed the Australian Open, French Open and US Open, in addition to the Cincinnati Masters, Paris Masters and the Adelaide Worldwide 1. He additionally reached the ultimate of Wimbledon the place he misplaced to Carlos Alcaraz, who has at instances challenged him for the No. 1 rating over the past 12 months.

Talking after his win, Djokovic mirrored on his success and the challenges posed by youthful gamers resembling Sinner and Alcaraz.

He mentioned: “Very, very particular. Top-of-the-line seasons I’ve had in my life, little doubt. To crown it with a win in opposition to the hometown hero Jannik who has performed wonderful tennis this week. It is phenomenal.

“You understand, I am very happy with the performances these final two days in opposition to Alcaraz and Sinner.

“You understand, most likely the perfect two gamers on the planet, you understand, subsequent to me and [Daniil] Medvedev in the intervening time and the best way they’ve been enjoying, I needed to step it up. I needed to, you understand, win the matches and never look forward to them at hand me the victory, and that is what I’ve accomplished.

“I feel I’ve tactically performed totally different at present than I’ve within the group stage in opposition to Jannik – and simply general, an exceptional week.”

His seventh win is a document, and it’s one his kids had been in a position to watch as spectators.

As one of many oldest gamers left on the event, he mentioned what it meant to have them current.

“Yeah. You understand, they have been so good,” he added. “You understand, the final couple of days watching tennis, and, you understand, it is a thrill. I at all times needed to carry out in entrance of them as soon as they reached the age that they’re conscious of what is going on on, and I feel that is the age proper now.

“They’re each aware of what is occurring, and you understand, I am so, so grateful to be a father of those two great angels. They’ve blessed me with a lot happiness and pleasure in my life and love, and you understand, they provide me energy, little doubt.”

Sinner conceded Djokovic “deserved to win” the encounter, admitting he had made some errors.

“At the moment he performed actually, actually good, particularly from the again of the court docket,” the world No. 4 mentioned. “However I feel at present I used to be not that sharp in sure moments and I felt that I dropped slightly bit bodily.

“While you drop slightly bit in opposition to the perfect participant on the planet, he makes it appear like it is a massive distinction. I attempted to remain there. I attempted to serve good. I made a few errors, possibly some focus errors. On 4-3 I missed a simple forehand. However nonetheless, there was plenty of rigidity.

“For one and a half units, he served actually, actually good. So it was robust to play, however I used to be having fun with it on the market. He deserved to win at present. He performed higher and within the vital moments.”

Sinner added: “At the moment I noticed that I nonetheless have to enhance. I consider that he makes me a greater participant, like all the opposite gamers who I misplaced to. After the Davis Cup, I’ve one month to work on issues the place I’ve to.”

The 22-year-old loved a profitable season regardless of his defeat in Turin, profitable 4 ATP titles, together with the Canadian Open.