Novak Djokovic hailed his 2023 season as “one of the best” of his career after clinching a record-extending eighth year-end No. 1 finish.
Djokovic beat Holger Rune in his opening match at the Nitto ATP Finals to ensure he will finish another season on top of the pile.
He has only played 12 tournaments this year, including the ATP Finals, but has won six of them, including three Grand Slams
He is also currently on a 19-match winning run that stretches back to the Wimbledon final, where he lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
Asked how this stacks up against some of his greatest seasons, Djokovic said: “One of the best years. I wouldn’t say the best, but one of the best.
“I mean, the fact that I’ve won three out of four Slams and played a final in the fourth and it’s still not the best year of my life, it’s quite nice to have that kind of situation.
“It’s definitely one of the best seasons. I had a couple of years, I think three times, that I won three out of four Slams in a season…in those years, I won more matches. I mean, I played more tournaments. I was really feeling very dominant on the tour.
“It’s quite different circumstances this year comparing to all the other years because I played, what, 10, 11 tournaments this year.
“I just managed to peak at the right tournaments, at the right time. That’s what matters to me really. I mean, Grand Slam season, one of the best for sure.
“Overall, especially in the last couple months, I haven’t lost a match since Wimbledon, so…I’ve been feeling great on the court and playing really well. But it’s hard to compare.”
“Obviously playing at home with the Italian crowd helps a lot, boosts his confidence, gives him in a way wings to play his best tennis, which he did today [against Tsitsipas].
“I know his game very well. I never lost to him, but we had some really close matches. Last time we played in semis of Wimbledon [when Djokovic won in straight sets].
“I’m going to obviously prepare myself well for the match. I know what to expect. I can expect the highest of him with, of course, the support of the crowd.
“It’s going to be nice I think for the tournament, us facing each other. I think we both in great form. Let’s see what happens.”
World No. 2 Alcaraz plays his first group match on Monday against Alexander Zverev.
In the other Red Group match, Daniil Medvedev takes on fellow Russian Andrey Rublev.
Source:norvanreports