On the opening day of the 2020 ATP Finals Novak Djokovic took to the court to receive a record-equalling sixth season No.1 trophy during an on-court presentation.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion has tied with his idol Pete Sampras for the most times the year-end title has been won by the same player. Djokovic enters his final tournament of the year with a win-loss record of 39-3. Overall, he has won four titles at the Australian Open, Dubai, Cincinnati and Rome. During that period only nemesis Rafael Nadal and Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego have beaten him. Pablo Carreno Busta has also technically scored a win over Djokovic after the Serbian was disqualified during their fourth round match at the US Open for hitting a lines judge with a ball.
“It is obviously very fulfilling. I am proud, overwhelmed, joyful and happy,” Djokovic said of his latest honour.
“It is a team effort. I probably could have not done it without my team. Their support and the trust that I have from them, as well as the love from my family, are something that I try to not take for granted.’
“I am an individual athlete but it is a team effort at the end of the day. There are so many people working their best in order for me to be where I am. I am grateful for them.”
As a result of his success, Djokovic has also won more prize money than any other player so far this year with earnings of $5,976,158. He is one of only two male players to have surpassed the $4M benchmark along with Dominic Thiem. Overall, the 33-year-old have won more prize money in his career than anybody else in the history of the sport. His current tally stands at $145,197,177 (prior to the ATP Finals).
Besides its success, the 2020 Tour has been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with various tournaments getting either cancelled or suspended. Causing financial hardship to both players and those organising the events. Djokovic admits that he is finding it hard to fully enjoy his latest milestone in light of the current circumstances.
“I have a mixture of emotions because this season has been very usual,” he explains. “There was a six-month gap with no tournaments and due to this virus a lot of people around the world are experiencing hard times. My heart goes out to all of them.‘
“This is why I am torn between being happy but also being sad with everything that is going on.“
This week at The O2 Djokovic is chasing after another record. Should he triumph in the tournament he would tie Roger Federer for most titles won at the event with Roger Federer. He has been drawn in the Group Tokyo 1970 along with Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev and Diego Schwartzman. Three players who he has a positive head-to-head record against.
Djokovic will kick-off his campaign at The ATP finals on Monday afternoon against Diego Schwartzman. He has won eight out of his nine matches against top 10 opposition already this year.
Multiple year-end No.1 players
- Pete Sampras USA – 6
- Novak Djokovic SRB – 6
- Roger Federer SWI – 5
- Jimmy Connors USA – 5
- Rafael Nadal ESP – 5
- Ivan Lendl CZE – 4
- John McEnroe USA – 4
- Bjorn Borg SWE – 2
- Lleyton Hewitt AUS – 2
- Stefan Edberg SWE – 2
