Novak Djokovic matches Roger Federer’s record with 6th ATP Finals title

Novak Djokovic secured a historic sixth ATP Finals title by defeating the third-seeded Casper Ruud on Sunday, concluding the season on a triumphant note for the Serbian. Djokovic, aged 35, triumphed with a 7-5, 6-3 victory, marking his first title at the event since 2015 and equalling Roger Federer’s record. After losing in his two previous finals at the tournament, Djokovic celebrated the win with arms raised and a broad smile, sealing the match with an ace.

Expressing his elation, Djokovic acknowledged the significance of the victory after a seven-year gap, noting the nerves he experienced in the final moments. He became the oldest champion in the prestigious year-end tournament and also claimed the largest payday in tennis history, earning $4.7 million for winning the ATP Finals trophy undefeated.

Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic emphasized his aggressive approach, stating, “I made him run, made him play. I was looking to be very aggressive, and it worked great. I am really pleased with the performance.”

For Ruud, it was his fourth defeat in a major championship match this year, having previously lost in the finals at Miami, Roland Garros, and the U.S. Open. Despite the disappointment, Ruud acknowledged the overall success of his year, expressing motivation and hunger to learn from the experiences.

The match in Turin saw Djokovic starting strongly, breaking Ruud’s serve at crucial moments in both sets. Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, issued a warning to Djokovic’s rivals, noting that the Serbian is practicing even harder than in his younger years, indicating a continued and potentially improved performance in the future. Djokovic concluded the year with an impressive 18-1 record, including victories in Tel Aviv and Astana, reaching the Paris Masters final, and securing titles at Wimbledon and in Rome.