Signing off: Novak Djokovic
(Picture: Getty Images)Novak Djokovic has set his sights on the big trophies in 2023 after capping off a bizarre season with a record-equalling sixth ATP Tour Finals title.
In only his 11th tournament of a season overshadowed by his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid, the Serbian ended the event in Turin unbeaten.
And come the final, he was once again a class apart in beating Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3.
Despite being 35, there are few signs of the Serbian aging after a year in which he was banned from competing at the Australian Open and on American soil because of his Covid stance.
After missing two Majors and scoring no points for winning Wimbledon – because of the ATP’s removal of ranking points over the tournament’s stance on Russia, he still finished fifth in the world.
But looking ahead to next season, he said: “I don’t know what the future holds but I know that what I hold in my mind is a huge hunger still to win trophies.
In the process, Djokovic pocketed the richest prize in tennis, just shy of £4million for ending the finals unbeaten, his first overall success at the tournament in seven years.
“It feels deeply satisfying,” he added, “and, at the same time, a huge relief because of the circumstances that I have been through this year, situations earlier this year, of course, with Australia.
“That had an effect obviously on my start of the year. For the first several months, I was trying to find that balance game wise but also mentally in order to be able to come back to the court and find that tennis level that I need.”
