Novak Djokovic wins record-tying sixth ATP Finals crown, record-breaking $4,740,300 pay-out

Novak Djokovic has conquered the ATP Finals for a record-tying sixth time, battling past Casper Ruud in Sunday night’s final, 7-5, 6-3, to add the 2022 title to his previous triumphs at the season-ending championships in 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.

“Seven years, it’s been a long time,” Djokovic said afterwards.

“You know, at the same time, the fact that I waited seven years makes this victory even sweeter, and even bigger.”

After 11 consecutive holds to start the match, things looked headed for a tie-break as Ruud built a 30-15 lead serving at 5-6.

But Djokovic won four points in a row from there to get the first break of the match and take the first set, 7-5, then grabbed another break for 3-1 in the second set and never really looked back, clinching his historic victory with a big ace—his ninth of the day.

“It’s the finals—usually these matches are decided on very small margins, and one break was enough in both sets,” Djokovic said.

“I knew Casper was playing really well coming into this match. I think we both served very well. I think in some decisive moments, like in that 12th game of the first set, I just managed to put a few returns back in play, make him run, make him play. I was really pleased with the way I was playing from the back of the court. With my forehand I was looking to be very aggressive, and it worked great.

“I’m really pleased with the performance.”

Here are 10 things Djokovic achieved with his triumph in Turin:

He ties Roger Federer for most ATP Finals titles since the tournament began in 1970. Federer is also a six-time champion at the event, winning it in 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010 and 2011.

He cashes in a record $4,740,300 for winning the title undefeated. It’s the biggest single-tournament payout in tennis history.

At 35 years and 5 months, he breaks the record for oldest champion in tournament history. Federer held the previous record, winning it at 30 years and 3 months in 2011.

He’s the first player ever to win the ATP Finals in three different decades—the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. Five other players have won the ATP Finals in two different decades: Bjorn Borg (‘70s and ‘80s), John McEnroe (‘70s and ‘80s), Boris Becker (‘80s and ‘90s), Federer (‘00s and ‘10s) and Alexander Zverev (‘10s and ‘20s).

He’s now won the ATP Finals in three different cities: Shanghai (2008), London (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015) and Turin (2022). Only two other men have done that: Ilie Nastase, who won it in four different cities (Paris in 1971, Barcelona in 1972, Boston in 1973 and Stockholm in 1975) and Federer in three cities (Houston in 2003 and 2004, Shanghai in 2006 and 2007 and London in 2010 and 2011).

His win over the No. 4-ranked Ruud was the record-extending 240th Top 10 win of his career. Federer has the next-most career Top 10 wins in ATP rankings history with 224.

It was his fourth time winning the ATP Finals undefeated. He also did it three years in a row in London from 2012 to 2014.

He ties Carlos Alcaraz for most ATP titles this year with five. He also won Rome, Wimbledon, Tel Aviv and Astana—Alcaraz won Rio de Janeiro, Miami, Barcelona, Madrid and the US Open.

It was the 91st ATP title of his career. It’s the fifth-most in the Open Era, but he’s closing in fast on the next two players on the list—Jimmy Connors leads the list with 109, then Federer with 103, then Ivan Lendl with 94 and Rafael Nadal with 92.

He’s now won 18 of his last 19 matches to close out the year. And 26 of his last 28 matches, and 35 of his last 38 matches...