Djokovic secures year-end No. 1 ranking for record-extending 8th time at ATP Finals
36-year-old Serb looking to capture record 7th ATP Finals title in Turin, Italy
Novak Djokovic patted his chest, crouched down, placed his right hand on the court and looked inward.
It was clearly a moment to cherish for the 24-time Grand Slam champion after securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for a record-extending eighth time.
Djokovic needed only one match win at the ATP Finals to be sure of keeping the top spot and he did it in his opener, beating Holger Rune 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 6-3 in a match spanning more than three hours on Sunday and into Monday morning in Turin, Italy.
"It was a very emotional and tough win because of the significance of tonight's match," Djokovic said. "That was added pressure, and attention."
On Monday, ATP president Andrea Gaudenzi presented Djokovic with the trophy for his achievement. Djokovic then posed for pictures with his team of coaches, physical trainers and family members.
"It's obviously the crown of the season, finishing the year as No. 1 in the world is a dream of every tennis player," he said. "It's one of the most difficult things to do in our sport. Winning Grand Slams and being No. 1 in the world are probably the pinnacles of the sport.
The 36-year-old Djokovic had already moved ahead of previous record holder Pete Sampras (six years at No. 1) two years ago.
Another 1🥇 <a href="https://twitter.com/PepperstoneFX?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PepperstoneFX</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ATPRankings?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ATPRankings</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/partner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#partner</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mc2C0V4Riu">pic.twitter.com/Mc2C0V4Riu</a>
—@atptourCarlos Alcaraz took the honour last year.
But Djokovic bounced back this year by winning three of the four major titles and finishing runner-up to Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
After this tournament, Djokovic will become the first player to hold the No. 1 ranking for 400 weeks, with Roger Federer at 310 the only other man to eclipse the 300-week mark.
'Everything else now is a bonus'
Djokovic next faces home favourite Jannik Sinner of Italy on Tuesday.
If Djokovic raises the trophy next weekend, he'll break a tie with Federer and capture a record seventh title at the tour finals.
"A big goal is achieved; everything else now is a bonus," Djokovic said.
The top two finishers in each four-man group advance to the semifinals.
Earlier in the same group, Sinner beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-4.
Djokovic ended a close first set with a blazing forehand return winner, then flexed his right biceps and held the pose for a few moments before unleashing an authoritative fist pump.
The 20-year-old Rune was making his debut at the season-ending tournament for the year's top eight players, and he took a set off Djokovic for the fourth time in five career meetings.
Djokovic also beat Rune in three tight sets at the Paris Masters this month.
After Djokovic gave up an early break in the third, he broke two rackets with his foot before sitting down for the changeover. But he quickly regained his composure — and the lead — before finishing the match off shortly after midnight.
Matches in the other group on Monday feature Alcaraz vs. Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev vs. Andrey Rublev.
