Novak Djokovic Clinches ATP Finals Victory and Retains Number One Ranking

Novak Djokovic and his match against Holger Rune. (Marco Alpozzi/LaPresse via ZUMA / DPA)

Novak Djokovic only had one duty to secure number one: get a victory at the ATP Finals. The Serbian complied, leaving Carlos Alcaraz with no chance of regaining the lead before the end of the season. His lack of luck in recent events (ATP Beijing and Shanghai and Paris Masters) complicated the goal that the Spaniard had set. The only possible option was to leave this Masters Cup undefeated and for the Serbian not to achieve any victory. It was complicated, although it could happen. But Nole, who does not fail, cleared up all doubts with a firm victory against Holger Rune.

The match started even. The Norwegian was strong against the rest and both easily maintained their serve. Rune came to threaten Djokovic’s number one in the fifth game, breaking the Serb’s serve, who also committed a double fault. Novak soon recovered that loss by scoring a counterbreak, returning the match to equality. The first set was resolved in the tie break 7-6 (4). The second was a copy of the first, unlike this one, Rune scored 6 (1) – 7.

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????????Standing: ode to tennis in the Djokovic-Rune that gave us a spectacular match. The Serbian takes it. (7-6, 6-7 and 6-3)

1⃣???????????????????????????????? secures number 1 in the world for another year. #NittoATPFinals #LaPistaDelTennis pic.twitter.com/GpPtJSiI1A

— Tennis on Movistar Plus+ (@MovistarTenis) November 12, 2023

There was one set left, which would define whether Djokovic retained number one until January, when the Australian Open begins, the first Grand Slam of the season. But this one wouldn’t be easy. Nole received boos from the public for breaking two rackets consecutively by stomping his feet. In between, Rune received medical assistance to release tension. After these incidents and pauses, the calmer Serbian took advantage of the Norwegian’s fatigue to sign a victory in the second match of the day in the green group.

With this victory, the Serbian will add 200 points to his personal account, which places him with 10,145 points in total. Alcaraz, on his side, has a total of 8,455, before his debut this Monday against Alexander Zverev (2:30 p.m.). However, even leaving these ATP Finals undefeated, the Spaniard could only reach 9,945 points, so Djokovic remains completely unattainable, regardless of what he does in the next matches. Carlitos’ only option did not depend on himself, he could only hope for a Serbian defeat, which did not happen.

Next Monday, November 20, the day after the last tournament of the season ends, Nole will celebrate 400 weeks as ATP leader. That day the Serbian will already be in Malaga to represent Serbia in the Davis Cup, and try to bring his country’s second victory in this competition. This will be the eighth time that the Serbian finishes the season as number one. He achieved it for the first time in 2011, as well as in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023.

2023-11-13 07:33:00
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