ATP Player of the Year Countdown, No. 1: Novak Djokovic

2023 By The Numbers

• 56-7: Overall win-loss record
• 27-1: Grand Slam win-loss record (AO 🏆, RG 🏆, W F, USO 🏆)
• 2: Matches at hard-court Grand Slams in which Djokovic was taken beyond a third set:
  • Second round, Australian Open, against 191st-ranked Enzo Couacaud (6-1, 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-0)
  • Third round, US Open, against 38th-ranked Laslo Djere (4-6, 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, 6-3)
• 7: Titles (Adelaide, Australian Open, Roland Garros, Cincinnati, US Open, Paris, ATP Finals)
• 1: Runner-ups (Wimbledon)
• 50: Voting points in WTA Player of the Year Countdown—a clean sweep (See "The Voters' Thoughts" below for more.)

Tracy's Take

What an incredible 2023 Novak Djokovic had. To win three majors in his age-36 year shows that his hunger to excel never lets up.

Novak is always looking to make those one-percent improvements: everything from diet, to agility, to strokes like his serve and forehand volleys. So, once again, he’s set new records in men's tennis: 24 Grand Slam singles titles, and eight times finishing the year No. 1 in the world. Those are big achievements that might be unreachable.

Amid those lofty numbers, here’s another one from 2023 that I find amazing: At Roland Garros, Novak played six tiebreakers—55 total points. Not once on those 55 points did he make an unforced error! As we know, in tennis, some points are bigger than others. And when it’s most important, Novak just locks down. He's at the stage now where he’s competing not just versus his opponents, but also against history.—Tracy Austin, Hall of Famer and former No. 1

The Voters' Thoughts

👉 Ten voters from the TENNIS.com editorial team each selected five players for our 2023 ATP Player of the Year vote. Each voters' first-place selection was worth 5 points, second-place vote 4 points, and so forth. Selected commentary from voters will be included in each 2023 ATP Player of the Year write-up.

The greatest player ever had his greatest season ever, taking the GOAT crown from Nadal with Slams 22, 23, and 24 all while staving off guys aged 20, 21, and 22. He is single-handedly keeping the next generations—all of them—at bay.—Megan Fernandez

While his career has been defined by rivalries, this year Djokovic stood alone at the pinnacle—and he only added to his greatness in the face of newer, younger challengers. He left little room for doubt after racking up seven titles, including three Grand Slams, two ATP Masters 1000s in Cincinnati and Paris, the ATP Finals, and finishing the year back on the top of the rankings.—Stephanie Livaudais

This guy is simply competing against himself, and something tells me he won’t be calling it quits—he’s either going to die on Centre Court, or be forcefully removed.—Liya Davidov

It’s broken record time, folks. If you thought this was the year Djokovic would slow down, think again.—Peter Bodo

There were times in 2023 when Djokovic appeared vulnerable to an encroaching next generation of talented young stars, but almost never when it mattered most. Three more major victories and eighth year-end No. 1? The stats speak for themselves.—David Kane

He won three Slams in a season for the fourth time in his career—but it was his marathon, drama-to-the-core, hold-your-breath victory over Carlos Alcaraz in Cincinnati, after his only stumble at a major in 2023, that I will remember most. No one looks better in victory, or looks more motivated in defeat.—Ed McGrogan

Winning three majors, going 56-7, and finishing No. 1 at age 36 will go down as one of his great, and likely underrated, achievements.—Steve Tignor

Three Grand Slam titles would be a stellar career achievement for most players. Djokovic does it in one year…for the fourth time.—Jon Levey

Turned 36, reached four Slam finals, won three—and continues to improve.—Joel Drucker

We’ve long run out of adjectives to describe Djokovic. His latest banner year was simply out of this world. But beyond reaching 24 majors and 400 weeks at No. 1, it’s the 36-year-old’s competitive spirit, mental fortitude and intangibles that continues to leave his opponents asking questions like “what are you still doing here?”—Matt Fitzgerald