Novak Djokovic, the top-ranked participant, capped off the 12 months by setting data, making tennis historical past along with his seventh ATP Finals title on Sunday, defeating Jannik Sinner in straight units 6-3, 6-3, in simply 1 hour and 43 minutes.
In 2023, Djokovic began the 12 months along with his tenth Australian Open victory after which went on to win his twenty third Grand Slam singles trophy on the French Open, breaking Rafael Nadal’s file. Though he misplaced within the Wimbledon remaining to Carlos Alcaraz, he bounced again to win the U.S. Open.
“Probably the greatest seasons I’ve had in my life, little question,” Djokovic mentioned. “To crown it with a win towards a hometown hero in Jannik, who has performed superb tennis this week, is phenomenal.”
Earlier than Sunday’s remaining, Djokovic and Roger Federer had been neck and neck with six titles every on the season-ending event that includes the 12 months’s high eight gamers.
When Sinner double-faulted, Djokovic secured his seventh title and celebrated by stretching out his arms with a broad smile.
This victory reminded him of his convincing semifinal victory over second-ranked Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday.
“I’m very pleased with the performances these final two days towards Alcaraz and Sinner, in all probability the perfect two gamers on the earth subsequent to me and (Daniil) Medvedev in the intervening time and the best way they’ve been enjoying. I needed to step it up,” Djokovic mentioned.
“I needed to win the matches and never look ahead to them at hand me the victory and that’s what I’ve achieved. I believe I tactically performed in a different way right now than I did within the group stage towards Jannik and general, it was an outstanding week.”
This marked Djokovic’s fourth win over Sinner, who had achieved his first-ever victory towards Djokovic throughout the group stage in Turin. Sinner’s journey to the ultimate additionally made historical past as he turned the primary Italian to achieve this stage.
On Sunday, Djokovic’s excellent efficiency included profitable 14 factors from the primary set’s finish to the second set’s third recreation, firmly establishing management and silencing the Turin crowd.
Djokovic secured the year-end No. 1 rating for an eighth time by profitable his opening ATP Finals match. After this event, he’ll be the primary participant to carry the No. 1 rating for 400 weeks, with solely Roger Federer at 310 weeks reaching an analogous milestone.
Moreover, this marks solely the second time within the final 15 years {that a} participant reached the finals of all 4 Grand Slam tournaments and the ATP Finals, with Djokovic attaining this feat beforehand in 2015.
Sinner arrived on the remaining with an unbeaten file in Turin and the passionate assist of a hometown crowd, all hoping to witness him turn out to be the primary Italian to say victory within the event’s 54-year historical past.
However the 22-year-old Sinner might provide little in response to a masterclass from Djokovic, particularly in a blistering first set that lasted simply 38 minutes and noticed the Serbian win 20 of twenty-two service factors. Djokovic additionally served up 13 aces throughout the match.
“Congratulations to you, Novak, for this week and never solely: you began the season by profitable and also you ended it by profitable; you received three Slams and lots of different tournaments,” Sinner mentioned. “What else is there to say? You’re an inspiration not just for all these watching however particularly for the gamers.
“I additionally wish to thank my group … we noticed additionally right now that I can nonetheless enhance so much, however we are able to take a look at the optimistic issues from this season. Once we began the 12 months, I used to be one participant and now I’m one other. Due to you, who’ve helped me perceive so many issues.”