“To crown it against a hometown hero,” Novak Djokovic calls 2023 as one of the best seasons of his career after defeating Jannik Sinner to win his 7th ATP Finals title

This was the Serb's 7th ATP Finals title, with which he has now overtaken Roger Federer record.

“To crown it against a hometown hero,” Novak Djokovic calls 2023 as one of the best seasons of his career after defeating Jannik Sinner to win his 7th ATP Finals title

Novak Djokovic (L), Jannik Sinner (R) (Sources: Tennis Majors)

Novak Djokovic defeated Jannik Sinner in the final of the 2023 ATP Finals to win his record seventh title at the tournament, breaking his tie with Roger Federer. The Serb beat an in-form Sinner in straight sets to avenge his defeat in the group stage match that almost eliminated him from the ATP Finals. Following this historic win, Djokovic said that it was particularly special to clinch the title against the ‘hometown hero’. 

The 2023 ATP Finals was hosted by Turin and Sinner, being Italian, received the full support of the home crowd throughout the tournament. Djokovic had mentioned it even before the match besides also saying that the youngster is in the form of his life, which is true.

YouTube video

Sinner got a sensational ending to his 2023 campaign. He won the China Open and Vienna Open recently which took his annual trophy tally to four. He also won the Canada Masters and Montpellier Open this year. 

FS Video
Very special. One of the best seasons I've had in my life, no doubt. To crown it against a home town hero in Jannik [Sinner] this week is phenomenal.  
Djokovic after winning the match

He further added:

Tactically I played differently today than in the group stage [when he lost] against Jannik. Overall a phenomenal week. 

The Serb beat the Italian 6-3, 6-3 in straight sets. He claimed to have played this match with much more intent than his group stage match against Sinner which the Italian had won 7-5, 6-7(7), 7-6(2). Djokovic is now 4-1 up against Sinner in head-to-head. The Italian’s only victory against the World No. 1 came recently in the group stage of the 2023 ATP Finals. 

Novak Djokovic says he will have the same motivation next year 

Djokovic after winning the 2023 ATP Finals said he will have the same drive, ambitions, and goals moving on next year. He emphasized that he will continue to focus more on Grand Slam events, World Tour finals, and the Olympics (for 2024). 

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Source: Tennishead)
The mindset is the same. I'll keep going. I don't know whether I'm going to have as good of a year next year, but I'm going to keep this kind of freshness of mind & motivation to do that. 

The Serb also mentioned that although the potential next big-3, namely Alcaraz, Sinner, and Holger Rune are up and running, he will continue to give his best for as long as he can. 

In case you missed it: