Novak Djokovic admits to using the deportation from Australia and ban from the USA as fuel for 2023 as he defeats Carlos Alcaraz to reach the finals of the 2023 ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic talked about what instigated his scintillating form this year in the post-match conference on Saturday.

Novak Djokovic admits to using the deportation from Australia and ban from the USA as fuel for 2023 as he defeats Carlos Alcaraz to reach the finals of the 2023 ATP Finals

(L-R) Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. (credits: Imago/ Tennishead)

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has literally set the stage on fire at all the tournaments he has played in this season. From winning three Grand Slam titles to regaining his World No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings, the Serbian is now on the hunt for his record seventh ATP Finals title. After beating World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz on straight sets, the veteran player talked about what has pushed him this year.

Djokovic talked about what instigated his scintillating form this year at the post-match conference on Saturday. He brought on the topic of how he was not allowed to participate in the Australian Open and the US Open due to COVID-19 protocols. The Serb also revealed how pleased he has been with himself, having accomplished so many records and also ended the year as the top-seeded player.

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Djokovic said,

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I guess last year's circumstances I used as a fuel for this year. I had an almost perfect season, Grand Slam season. That mattered the most to me. Ended the year as #1 in the world, reached really all the objectives that I had, broke many records, made history of the sport. Of course, I'm thrilled with the season. But one more match to go. Hopefully, I can crown the season with another win.

Novak Djokovic’s performance at the ongoing ATP Finals

Djokovic entered the ATP Finals, the silverware that every single top tennis player dreams of winning at the end of the season, on the back of a Paris Masters win. He was clubbed up in the Blue Group with the likes of Jannik Sinner, Holger Rune, and Stefanos Tsitispas, who was later replaced by Hubert Hurkacz due to injury.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic in action during a match. (credits: Tennis World)

He first went up against Holger Rune in the first group stage matchup, beating the Dane by a scoreline of 7-6, 6-7, 6-3. But in the very next match, he faced a reality check, losing to local boy Jannik Sinner losing the match by 5-7, 7-6, 6-7.

The Serb then went up against Hurkacz, beating the Polish star by 7-6, 4-6, 6-1. He progressed to the finals of the competition by beating Carlos Alcaraz in the semis by 6-3, 6-2 setting up a clash with Jannik Sinner.

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