On Sunday, November 19, the final match of the Final Tournament ended the tennis season at the ATP Tour level. The Serbian Novak Djokovic and the Italian Jannik Sinner competed for the title in the prestigious competition in Turin. In the battle for the trophy, the 36-year-old Belgrade native defeated the local crowd’s favorite in two sets. In the final of the Championship, Novak won for the seventh time and became the only leader in this indicator, surpassing Roger Federer and breaking many other records.
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solemn speeches
The award ceremony at the main competition venue traditionally began with the finalist’s words. During a speech to the fans in Turin, the owner of the courts spoke about changes to his game for the 2023 season.
“The last three months I have been playing and improving my tennis a lot, but even today I saw that we can still improve. However, the positives in 2023 are different. I am a different player compared to the beginning of the year. “You greeted me like a little kid, thank you very much,” Sinner said.
Sinner Jannik
Photo: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Novak, in turn, after the historic victory, admitted that he was proud of his performance this season, calling it one of the best of his career.
“There is no doubt that this season has become one of the best of my life. And it’s great to end it with a victory over local hero Yannick, who has been playing some great tennis this week.
I’m very proud of my performance against Alcaraz and Sinner, who are arguably the two best players in the world right now. I had to improve, I had to beat myself and not wait for victory. And I did it. Great week,” Djokovic said after the match.
And at a press conference, a representative of the Big-3 announced the main objectives for next season.
“How to best spend the season? Wins four TSB and Olympic gold (smiles). Let’s take a look. I always have the greatest ambitions and goals. Nothing will change next year, that’s for sure. The drive I have hasn’t gone away. My body served me well, it obeyed me well. I have a great team around me.
The motivation, especially to compete in the biggest tournaments in this sport, is still there for me. It still inspires me to keep playing. At the end of the day, people see you perform at the big tournaments, but they don’t see all the weeks and months of dedicated work every day, trying to develop your form so you can peak wherever you want. My motivation for 2024 is the victories in the Helmets, the Final and the Olympic Games.
I have the same attitude. I will continue. “I don’t know if I will have the same success next year, but I will maintain the same mental freshness and, in a sense, motivation for this,” Djokovic said.
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“Would you like to have a better season? Win 4 TBS and the Olympic Games.” Djokovic – after the victory in the final
The tennis community reacted to Djokovic’s victory
“Incredible. Congratulations to Novak Djokovic, and congratulations to you too, Jannik, for playing inspiring tennis all week,” wrote four-time Grand Slam champion and world number one Iga Swiatek, while praising finalist Jannik Sinner for a great week.
“Congratulations, dear,” Holger Rune’s current mentor, Boris Becker, is happy for his former pupil.
“Novak’s ability to raise his level of play after defeat and remain determined to win in any situation is, in my opinion, the most underrated thing I have ever seen in tennis! Congratulations on another record, Novak,” two-time TBS winner Victoria Azarenka admired the Serbian’s triumph.
“Novak proves once again why he is the greatest player of all time. He again the first racket in the world at the end of the year, three helmets and the seventh ATP Final Championship title. Incredible. What a week for Yannick too. He should be proud of himself and that will give him confidence for next year. Congratulations to both of them,” said former world doubles number one Renee Stubbs, praising both Djokovic and Sinner for their performances in Turin.
“Congratulations, Novak Djokovic,” wrote Bob Bryan, 23-time TBS winner in men’s doubles and mixed doubles.
“Novac. Again,” seven-time Grand Slam champion and former World No. 1 John McEnroe left a brief message on social media.
“The message has been received! Novak is far from done, he is very, very impressive,” said Roger Federer’s former coach Paul Anacon, who added congratulatory emojis and a trophy emoji to his post.
“Djokovic is not only the best tennis player of all time, but also the best athlete in the world. Novak broke records in this sport. He has, above all, incredible longevity at the top! — wrote the 2013 Wimbledon winner, French tennis player Marion Bartoli, attaching an emoji with a tennis ball.
