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After the stinging defeat in the Wimbledon final when the Serbian saved two match points to deny Federer the title, it seemed like the Swiss' chances of beating Djokovic in the future were slim. Only a few months later, the 38-year-old got revenge.
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38 years YOUNG ????@rogerfederer | #NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/BWk8lE0dxj — ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2019
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In a 6-4, 6-3 near-dominant performance, Federer sent himself into the semifinals, eliminating Djokovic from the tournament, and solidified Nadal's position as year-end world No. 1. Not since the semifinals of the ATP Finals in 2010, when Federer beat Djokovic, 6-1, 6-4, has Federer defeated Djokovic so decisively.
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This year saw many players either leave the tour permanently (Dominica Cibulkova, Marcos Baghdatis, Mikhail Youzhny) or announce the final season (Bob and Mike Bryan). Berdych decided to call it quits immediately, but not without a heartfelt goodbye at the ATP Finals.
In a special ceremony on Saturday, the former world No. 4 said goodbye at the year-end tournament that he qualified for six straight years from 2010-2015. Surrounded by fellow 2019 retirees, such as David Ferrer, Max Mirnyi, Nicolas Almagro and Baghdatis, Berdych celebrated his career.
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You held your head high in an incredibly tough tennis era @tomasberdych and it was a pleasure to get to know you at the first @LaverCup in Prague. There are many career highlights to celebrate. I wish you well for the future, on and off the 'court'. ???? pic.twitter.com/HL5TYFTLMx — Rod Laver (@rodlaver) November 17, 2019
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Though the Spaniard did not qualify for the semifinals in London, once again missing out on the elusive ATP Finals title, he still had something to celebrate. Nadal received the year-end ATP world No. 1 trophy for the fifth time, tying him with Federer, Djokovic and Jimmy Connors; Pete Sampras and Djokovic hold the record with six.
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It's official.@RafaelNadal will end 2019 as the year-end No. 1. pic.twitter.com/t2RaNtIE4N — ATP Tour (@atptour) November 14, 2019
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