Most Grand Slams: Novak Djokovic record: If the start of the year 2022 wasn’t the most ideal one for Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, the end was certainly on a high. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic won his record-equalling 6th ATP Tour Finals on Sunday. The 35-year-old defeated Norwegian Casper Ruud 7-5, 6-3 to equal retired Switzerland great Roger Federer’s record of six titles. Follow ATP Rankings 2022 LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
Most Grand Slams: Novak Djokovic ends 2022 on a high with 6th ATP Tour Finals title, aims for record-breaking 2023, Check OUT
To my wife & children, family, team, sponsors, fans, everyone who stuck with me this year .. the journey has been challenging & we’ve endured a great deal together. I’m humbled by your support & grateful that it got us to this moment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙏🏼❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/P9zQhl7O3b
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 20, 2022
At 35, Novak Djokovic is also the oldest player in the history of the ATP Tour Finals to win the tournament. The victory in Turin is also Djokovic’s 92nd ATP title. The win in the finals also guaranteed Djokovic a top-5 finish in the ATP rankings. The Serb, after the win, reflected on the turbulent year that 2022 was for him as a tennis player.
“It feels deeply satisfying and, at the same time, a huge relief because of the circumstances that I have been through this year, situations earlier this year, of course, with Australia,” Djokovic said.
Novak is hungry for more
With Federer retired and Rafael Nadal quickly approaching the end of his career, Djokovic is the man to beat in men’s tennis. 2022 has been a tough year for him, but despite that, he aced the hallowed turf of Wimbledon for the seventh time. He was disqualified from participating in the Australian Open and the U.S. Open. The controversy, though, has only made Novak a lot tougher, as he vows to battle for titles.
“I don’t know what the future holds but I know that what I hold in my mind is a huge hunger still to win trophies. In my mind I always see myself as the best player in the world, of course,” Djokovic said.
Rusedski back Novak to create history in 2023
Now that the season is over, Novak can put his feet up and enjoy the break coming his way. Champion players always find a way to answer their critics, and that’s what the Serb did this season. With 2022 behind him, fans can expect a rejuvenated and refreshed Novak to rewrite history in 2023.
Former U.S. Open runner-up Greg Rusedski expects Novak to not just break Rafael Nadal’s tally but to go beyond. Rusedski said that Novak has it in him to break the all-time grand slam tally record, currently held by Margaret Court (24).
“I see Novak out there if he’s healthy for another four, five years so imagine how many more Slams he’s going to have underneath his belt. I don’t think he wants to get the men’s record, I think he wants to get the all-time record. Margaret Court 24. Serena 23, he wants to have 25,” Rusedski said while speaking to Prime video.
Djokovic currently has 21 grand slams to his name, just one behind Spain’s Rafael Nadal. He is likely to go past Nadal in 2023, given that he is now allowed to play in Australia come January. Rusedski has already predicted next year’s grand slam results. He expects Novak to come out triumphant in at least two of them.
“Well I see Djokovic winning at least two Majors next year. I see Rafa winning the French and Alcaraz possibly defending his US Open title,” Rusedski added.
Most Grand Slams: Can Novak dominate in Australia again?
Rusedski’s claim makes sense to an extent. After the gap of a year, Novak returns to Australia, a surface which he has dominated in the last decade or so. Not just in terms of winning the titles, the former British pro expects Novak to become world No. 1 midway through next season.
“From Wimbledon onwards he has been brilliant and he is on a mission again. Watch out, No 1 in the world this time by Wimbledon guaranteed next year,” said Rusedski.
One cannot control the results, but one can prepare to achieve its goal. Despite the rise of Carlos Alcaraz and Gen Next catching up in 2022, Novak Djokovic continues to be the benchmark for the rest to follow. After what he has been through in 2022, one can expect Novak to rewrite history over the next 12 months.
Most Grand Slams: Novak Djokovic ends 2022 on a high with 6th ATP Tour Finals title, aims for record-breaking 2023, Check OUT
To my wife & children, family, team, sponsors, fans, everyone who stuck with me this year .. the journey has been challenging & we’ve endured a great deal together. I’m humbled by your support & grateful that it got us to this moment. Thank you from the bottom of my heart 🙏🏼❤️🏆 pic.twitter.com/P9zQhl7O3b
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) November 20, 2022
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