Record-breaker Novak Djokovic claims seventh ATP Finals crown

NEW DELHI: Novak Djokovic clinched his seventh ATP Finals title on Sunday, asserting his dominance in the sport. The 36-year-old Serbian maestro swept aside local favourite Jannik Sinner in a commanding 6-3, 6-3 victory in Turin, leaving tennis enthusiasts in awe of his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Djokovic's triumph comes on the heels of a phenomenal year that saw him secure three Grand Slam titles, elevating his total to an unprecedented 24.The victory also marked his 40th Masters 1000 title, solidifying his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
"I'm very proud of the performances of the last two days against Alcaraz and Sinner, who are probably the two best players in the world, next to me and Medvedev at the moment. The way they have been playing, I had to step it up," remarked Djokovic, reflecting on the calibre of his opponents.

The victory in Turin propelled Djokovic to a historic 400th week at the world number one ranking, surpassing the legendary Roger Federer in victories at the season-ending tournament. Djokovic expressed the significance of this achievement, stating, "Very special, one of the best seasons I've had in my life, no doubt. To crown it with a win against a hometown hero in Jannik, who has played amazing tennis all week, is phenomenal."
Sinner, the 22-year-old Italian bidding to become the first from his nation to claim the ATP Finals title, showcased impressive performances throughout the tournament. Having saved Djokovic from an early exit in the group stage, Sinner's journey ended in disappointment in the final. Despite the loss, he remains optimistic about the future, stating, "When I started this season I was one type of player, now I'm another. Let's see how we go next season."
The final match saw Djokovic take control early, breaking Sinner in the fourth game and comfortably serving out the opening set. Sinner, despite displaying resilience, ultimately succumbed to Djokovic's relentless pursuit of victory. The Serbian ace sealed the match in straight sets, underlining his unwavering dominance.
In the doubles event, Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury retained their title with a decisive 6-3, 6-4 victory over Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos. The US Open champions maintained a near-perfect campaign in Turin, extending their unbeaten streak to 10 matches at the season-ending tournament.
Djokovic's triumph in Turin leaves tennis aficionados wondering when, if ever, he will relinquish his tennis dominance, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
(With inputs from AFP)