Novak Djokovic yesterday joined the exclusive club of tennis players who have reached the 1,000 wins in the Open Era, a list with just five members. The first to enter and still the leader in wins (1,274) was Jimmy Connorswhom he seconded years later Ivan Lendl (1,068). It was necessary to wait for the advent of the ‘Big three’ to see another player in such sensational figures. as things, Roger Federer adds 1,251 victories for the 1,051 of Rafael Nadal. Guillermo Vilas stayed at the gates with 951.
After dispatching Casper Ruud in two sets, ‘Nole’ is also the tennis player with most wins vs. ‘Top 10’ with 231, by 224 from Federer and 181 from Nadal. Seventh in number of games played with 1,203, the Balkan tennis player rivals the manager for the best winning percentage. At the moment Rafa is in charge with 83.2, just one tenth better than the Serbian.
“I saw Roger and Rafa and I was looking for him too. It’s been a while since I won the first match and I hope I can win more. Hopefully tomorrow,” declared the Balkan on the central track of the Foro Italico, where he received a cake with a number 1,000 signed on it.
To achieve victory 1,000 it was necessary to sweat despite the 6-4 and 6-3 of the final score. The Serbian tennis player did not even let his rival breathe in the first bars. ‘Nole’ was coming off a tough game against Auger-Aliassime, but not only did he not seem tired at the start, but he was a cyclone both in terms of play and intensity. Djokovic gave almost everything back and only slacked off in the fourth game, where he gave several gifts to Ruud, who could not break the dynamic (4-0).
The pace of the number one in the world was frantic, although Casper, encouraged by the public, did not lower his arms and was accurate in his first break option to make it 5-3. The Norwegian pressed with 5-4, but ‘Nole’ closed the sleeve on serve (6-4) when the dynamic was favorable for his rival.
The second set started where the previous one left off. Ruud went further and took advantage of Djokovic’s physical downturn. The Serb managed to serve a blank game to make it 3-3 and gain momentum. The number 10 in the ranking gave up his serve in the seventh game after a titanic fight with the number one (4-3). Ah the balcnico won the mental battle, who grew and pushed until closing the duel with a 6-3. Tsitsipas awaits him in the Rome final.
