"Proud and grateful" - Novak Djokovic is making history again
After reaching the final in Paris-Bercy, it is clear thatNovak Djokovic will finish the current season as the world's number one. It is another milestone in the Serb's unique career.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Nov 06, 2021, 11:33 pm
It was his declared goal before the start of the tournament and, as so often in his career, Novak Djokovic did not let himself and his fans down: By making it to the finals at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris-Bercy, the Serb will no longer be of that by the turn of the year To displace the top of the world rankings. This means that Djokovic will finish a season as the industry leader for the seventh time - a record!
So far, the 34-year-old had shared this record with Pete Sampras, now Djokovic is also leading this ranking alone. "That was a dream. Pete has been my idol since I was young. I'm very proud to be number one," said the 20-time Grand Slam winner immediately after his dramatic three-set win over Hubert Hurkacz.
"A great achievement"
In the subsequent press conference, Djokovic was touched by the record that had been set: "A great achievement. I am very proud and grateful to be in this position again," said the Serb, who had already been in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2020 was number one in the ranking at the end of the year.
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"I value all records and successes. To be historical number one is arguably the greatest achievement of our sport. To be number one at the end of the year requires persistence and being the best at the biggest events," said Djokovic, who has been at the top of the world rankings for a total of 345 weeks and thus also leads this ranking.
Djokovic has a chance to take revenge
In 2021 Djokovic won the Grand Slam tournaments in Melbourne, Paris and Wimbledon, at the US Open he was only missing one victory to reach the Grand Slam. In Paris-Bercy, in the final, he will meet the very man who prevented him from taking the big coup in New York : Daniil Medvedev.
"It's a great relief to be number one at the end of the year, but I know the job isn't done," said Djokovic, extremely aggressive on Saturday. In head to head with the world number two, the 34-year-old leads 5: 4.
Here is the single draw from Paris-Bercy.
bercymap