Novak Djokovic Wins Record-Tying 6th ATP Finals Title

Novak Djokovic continues his assault on the record books.

The 35-year-old Serb won his record-tying sixth ATP Finals title on Sunday in Turin, Italy, defeating Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3.

Djokovic tied Roger Federer for the most ATP Finals titles. (Rafael Nadal is still seeking his first.)

Djokovic picks up $4.7 million for winning the title while going undefeated, and moved up to No. 5 in the live rankings. He missed two majors in 2022 and received no points for winning Wimbledon.

”It is finals. Usually these kind of matches are decided by very small margins,” Djokovic said. “One break of serve was enough in both sets. I knew Casper was playing really well coming into this match. We both served really well and I think in some decisive moments, like the 12th game of the first set, I managed to put a few returns back in play.

”I made him run, made him play. I was really pleased with the way I played. I was looking to be very aggressive and it worked great. I am really pleased with the performance.”

ESPN’s Patrick McEnroe on Saturday called Djokovic “the best tennis player on the planet” after he beat American Taylor Fritz 7-6, 7-6 in the semifinals.

Ruud, meantime, had a breakthrough 2022, reaching the finals of the French Open (losing to Rafael Nadal), the U.S. Open (Carlos Alcaraz) and the ATP Finals (Djokovic). He is No. 3 in the live rankings.

Djokovic, the Rome, Wimbledon, Tel Aviv and Astana champion, won the ATP Finals in a third different city. The Serbian triumphed in Shanghai in 2008 and in London in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Djokovic will be the favorite entering the Australian Open in January, per McEnroe.

The 21-time Grand Slam singles champion wasn’t allowed to defend his Australian Open title this year after a tumultuous 10-day legal saga over his COVID-19 vaccination status that culminated with his visa being revoked on the eve of the tournament.

The Serb lost in the quarterfinals of the French Open to Nadal but did win his fourth straight Wimbledon title for his 21st career major title.

He was also not allowed to play the U.S. Open because unvaccinated foreigners were not permitted to fly into the country.

“Tennis is is better when all the best players are on the court,” Nadal said this week in Turin. “Even if it was a big mess last year, not good for our sport, it’s the past. Novak able to play again is the best possible news. Happy for him, the tournament, the fans.”