"I mean, I played more tournaments": Novak Djokovic cites 2011 or 2015 as his best year over remarkable 2023

Despite ending the year as World No.1 for a record-extending eighth time and winning three out of the four possible Grand Slams, Novak Djokovic is reluctant to brand the 2023 ATP season as the best year of his career.

With the goal of winning the ATP Finals for a record-breaking seventh time, the Serbian still has something left to strive for this season. Regardless, the 36-year old call 2023 the best year of his career, as he has in fact accomplished winning three Grand Slam in a season on three different occasions (2011, 2015 and 2021).

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Djokovic admits he was more dominant during the preceding seasons

In an interview during the 2023 ATP Finals, Djokovic was asked to rate his 2023 and compare it to other years where he was just as impressive.

"It's definitely one of the best seasons," the Serbian admitted. "I mean, I had a couple of years, I think three times, that I won three out of four slams in a season, like 2011, 2015. In those years, I won more matches. I mean, I played more tournaments. I was really, I mean, feeling very dominant on the tour."

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Nonetheless, Djokovic admitted the 2023 season was one of the best, considering he played only 11 tournaments before the year-ending ATP Finals, with just over a 90% win-rate.

"One of the best years," he said. "I wouldn't say the best, but one of the best. I mean, the fact that I've won three out of four slams and played a final in the fourth and it's still not the best year of my life, it's quite nice to have that kind of situation.

"It's quite different circumstances this year compared to all the other years because I played, what, 10, 11 tournaments this year. I played very well - least of anybody. I just managed to peak at the right tournaments, at the right time. That's what matters to me really."