Novak Djokovic Officially Closed This Year As No. 1 World

Novak Djokovic while lifting his 24th Grand Slam title in his career by winning the US Open 2023/INSTAGRAM

JAKARTA Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic confirmed himself ending this year as the world number one. It was his eighth record time sitting in that position.

This assurance came after Djokovic, who is the top seed, defeated Holger Rune 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (1-7) 6-3 in the first match of the Green Group at the ATP Finals, in Turin, Italy, Monday, November 13 morning WIB.

This result made Djokovic ensure that he had a historic 400th week as a world number one at the ATP rankings.

"This means a lot. You can see there are a lot of emotions on the pitch. I can feel it. I really want to win tonight's game," Djokovic said, quoted on the ATP website.

Rune, 20, who made his debut in the event, won the first break to take a 3-2 lead before Djokovic hit back and then won the opening tie-breaking set.

Then in the second set Rune reacted well and then stole the win even though Djokovic had equalized at the time of the tie-breaking.

Djokovic immediately broke the service in the determination set before Rune was able to respond. However, Djokovic successfully broke the serve for the second time and ended the young tennis player's resistance.

"I won Paris [Masters], which makes my position much better in terms of rankings and I know that when I arrived in Turin I only needed to win one game. A big goal has been achieved, the other is now a bonus," said Djokic.

This victory made Djokovic extend his winning streak to 19 consecutive matches.

The 36-year-old has previously won three Grand Slams this year. The three major trophies make him now holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles of all time with 24 trophies, winning two trophies over Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic is on the right track for the seventh ATP Finals title. If successful then he will pass Roger Federer and be the holder of the title record at this event.