Tennis fans have now almost gotten used to this picture: When they look at the world rankings at the end of the year, Novak Djokovic is almost always at the top. It will be the same after the 2023 season – for the eighth time in total.
With his opening victory at the ATP Finals against the young Danish star Holger Rune, trained by Boris Becker, shortly after midnight, the 36-year-old Serb ensured that no one can knock him off the tennis throne this year. No matter what the end of the year ends for the eight best professionals of the year in Turin.
“It means a lot to me. It was my first goal for my time here in Turin,” said Djokovic. “I really wanted this win today to get the monkey off my back, so to speak,” said the Serb. “Everything that comes now is a bonus.”
In order to get the one win he was missing, Djokovic had to work hard. Only after 3:04 hours was his 7:6 (7:4), 6:7 (1:7), 6:3 against Rune in the Pali Alpitour clear. Two rackets also broke on the way there. When Djokovic lost his serve at the beginning of the third set after he had just managed a break, he stepped on two of his rackets so hard that they broke.
In the end it was enough for success because the 20-year-old Rune lost his strength in the third set.
