Record-breakovic! Novak Djokovic defeats Jannik Sinner for historic seventh ATP Finals title

Five days after falling to him in an epic in the round-robin stage of the event, Novak Djokovic got his revenge against Jannik Sinner in the final of the ATP Finals on Sunday, defeating the Italian, 6-3, 6-3, to capture his record-breaking seventh career title at the year-end championships.

He surpasses Roger Federer’s previous record of six.

MOST CAREER TITLES AT ATP FINALS (since 1970):
7: Novak Djokovic [2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2022, 2023]
6: Roger Federer [2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011]
5: Pete Sampras [1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999]
5: Ivan Lendl [1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1987]
4: Ilie Nastase [1971, 1972, 1973, 1975]

Djokovic was asked in his on-court interview after the final how special it was to finish off a record-breaking season by breaking another record.

“Very, very special. One of the best seasons I’ve had in my life, no doubt,” Djokovic said. “To crown it with a win against a hometown hero, Jannik, who has played amazing tennis this week, is phenomenal.

“I’m very proud of the performances these last two days against Alcaraz and Sinner, probably the best two players in the world next to me and Medvedev at the moment. And the way they have been playing, I had to step it up, I had to win the matches and not wait for them to hand me the victory, and that’s what I’ve done. I think I’ve tactically played different today than I have in the group stage against Jannik.

“Just overall, a phenomenal week.”

On Tuesday, Sinner won a three-hour, nine-minute round-robin clash, 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2), but Sunday’s rematch was nothing like it as Djokovic was never in trouble, breaking for 3-1 en route to taking the first set, then grabbing another break in the first game of the second set.

Sinner showed signs of a potential comeback midway through the second set, bringing up double break point with Djokovic serving at 3-2, 15-40, and then—after Djokovic held strong for 4-2—fighting off six break points in the next game to hold and close the gap to 4-3.

But Djokovic held for 5-3 and broke one last time to close out the last ATP match of the year after an hour and 43 minutes.

It was his tour-leading seventh title of the year, following triumphs at Adelaide, the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Cincinnati, the US Open and Paris. He came into the ATP Finals tied with Alcaraz at six.

And at 36, Djokovic also one-ups his own record for oldest player ever to win the ATP Finals, having set the record last year when he won it at age 35. Before last year, that record belonged to Federer, who was 30 in 2011.

Both Djokovic and Sinner will actually be back on court later this week as they try to lead Serbia and Italy to the title at the Davis Cup Finals.