Djokovic Seals Year-End Top Spot With ATP Finals Win Over Rune

By: Gyang Dakwo

With a 7-6 (4), 6-7 (1), 6-3 win over Holger Rune in his first match at the ATP Finals on Sunday, Novak Djokovic has clinched year-end No. 1 on the ATP rankings for a record-extending eighth time.

He clinched his record-breaking seventh year-end No. 1 finish last year, surpassing Pete Sampras’ previous record of six, and this year he one-ups himself after an historic season highlighted by his record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, his record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, and his record-extending 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open.

“It means a lot, obviously. You could see there was a lot of emotions on the court,” Djokovic said of the incredible feat.

“I could feel it. I was very eager to win tonight’s match and get that monkey off my back. I won Paris, which put me in a much better position rankings-wise, and I knew coming into Torino that all I have to do is win one match, so obviously a big objective, big goal is achieved. Everything else now is a bonus.”

Djokovic is now guaranteed an incredible 400th career week at No. 1 on the ATP rankings the week after the ATP Finals, which is a full 90 weeks clear of the next man on the list, Federer, who accumulated 310 career weeks at the top spot in his career.