‘A big goal is achieved’: Djokovic secures eighth year-end No 1

TURIN, Italy — Novak Djokovic patted his chest, crouched down, placed his right hand on the court and looked inward.

It was clearly a moment to cherish for the 24-time Grand Slam champion after securing the year-end No 1 ranking for a record-extending eighth time.

Djokovic needed only one match win at the ATP Finals to be sure of keeping top spot and he did it in his opener, beating Holger Rune 7-6 (4),6-7 (1), 6-3 in a match that lasted over three hours and stretched into Monday morning.

„It was a very emotional and tough win because of the significance of tonight’s match,“ Djokovic said. „That was added pressure, and attention.“

„It means a lot,“ Djokovic added. „You could see there were a lot of emotions on the court. I could feel it. I was very eager to win tonight and get that monkey off my back.“

The 36-year-old Djokovic had already moved ahead of previous record holder Pete Sampras (six years at No 1) two years ago.

Carlos Alcaraz took the honors last year.

After this tournament, Djokovic will become the first player to hold No 1 for 400 weeks, with Roger Federer at 310 the only other man to eclipse the 300-week mark.

If Djokovic raises the trophy next weekend, he’ll break a tie with Federer and capture a record seventh title at the finals.

„A big goal is achieved; everything else now is a bonus,“ Djokovic said.

Djokovic has won 19 straight matches stretching back to his five-set loss to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final in July.

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202311/14/WS6552cd15a31090682a5ee01d.html