The World
No. 1 ended the year in the best possible way by securing his 7th ATP Finals
title with a convincing triumph over the 22-year-old local player Jannik Sinner
by 6-3, 6-3. Although the Italian had won their first encounter just five days
earlier, this time 'Nole' showcased his effectiveness in finals to secure a
comfortable victory.
Italian
media have pointed out that the young star could have avoided facing Djokovic
if he had lost his round-robin match against Holger Rune. This would have given
the Dane and Sinner the qualification, leaving out the 24-times Grand Slam
champion. The publication of 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' criticized Sinner for
his naivety in not conceding to Rune despite having some back problems.
Djokovic's
triumph continues to enhance his legacy, breaking another record as the
all-time leader in ATP Finals victories, surpassing Roger Federer. The Serbian
commented that his ambitions do not stop, and he will face new challenges in
the coming year.
"Well,
you can win four Slams and Olympic gold," Djokovic said.
"I
have always the highest ambitions and goals. That's not going to be different
for the next year, that's for sure. The drive that I have is still there,” he
added.
"Motivation,
especially for the biggest tournaments in sport, is still present. For me,
obviously those are Grand Slams and Finals, and next year hopefully also
Olympic Games," he concluded.
Djokovic
ended the year as the world No. 1 with a significant lead over Alcaraz, who
will have to wait until the Australian Open in January to challenge 'Nole'
again for the top spot in the rankings. The 36-year-old athlete quickly
traveled from Turin to Malaga to join the Serbian Davis Cup team, as they are
set to face Great Britain in the quarterfinals of the Davis Cup Finals.
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
November 14th: Sinner defeats Djokovic in the Round Robin.
November 19th: Djokovic defeats Sinner in the final.
Nobody defeats @DjokerNole twice in the same tournament.