Coach Goran Ivanisevic admitted that it was very special to celebrate Novak Djokovic’s triumph at the ATP Finals after everything that the Djokovic team had to go through during the season. On Sunday, Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud 7-5 6-3 to win the ATP Finals.
Djokovic, 35, now has six ATP Finals titles in his collection – he has now tied Roger Federer’s all-time record of six titles at the prestigious season-ending tournament. Djokovic captured his first ATP Finals title in 2008, before winning four consecutive titles at the tournament between 2012 and 2015.
“This final is special. Winning the Masters after seven years. He deserves it. Nobody knows how it was to be part of the team with ups and downs this season,” Ivanisevic said, per Tennis Majors.
Ivanisevic : “This final is special.
Winning the Masters after seven years… He deserves it. Nobody knows how it was to be part of the team with ups and downs this season.” — Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) November 20, 2022
Novak Djokovic felt the nerves late in the match
After missing out on break points earlier in the first set, Djokovic earned his first break of the match in the 12th game – when Ruud was serving to stay in the first set.
Up by a set, Djokovic broke Ruud in the fourth game to also take a 3-1 lead in the second set. Djokovic then held on to his serve the rest of the match to complete a two-set win. However, the ninth game wasn’t that smooth for Djokovic since he and Ruud were tied at 30-30 before the Serb won the next two points to close out the final.
“[There were] a lot of nerves, particularly in that 30/30 point at [5-3 in the second set]. You have to stay focused the entire match. The momentum can shift to the other side very quickly. I missed a couple of forehands in the last game when I was serving for it.
I had nerves, but I am really grateful to be able to serve the match out. I had a big ace to close out. Seven years [since winning this title] has been a long time. At the same time, the fact that I waited seven years makes this victory even sweeter and even bigger,” Djokovic said.
