PARIS − Novak Djokovic gained some consolation for missing out on a Grand Slam sweep this year when he was crowned season-ending world number one for a record seventh time yesterday.
The 34-year-old Serbian had jointly held the record of six with Pete Sampras but took sole possession when he beat Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5), to reach the Paris Masters final.
Novak had taken a seven-week break after his dreams of a Grand Slam were dashed by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final in September.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said on Friday the main reason for his return this week was to seal the number one spot and break the record.
“It is a dream for me as Pete was my idol when I was a young boy,” said Novak.
“To arrive at this moment is not just my achievement but my team’s. It is wonderful to be in this position.
“I am very proud to finish number one and what a match to do it in. It was so tight right to the last point, but I am a very happy man now, obviously.
“I am overwhelmed with all the beautiful positive emotions.”
Novak − who broke Roger Federer’s record of weeks at number one earlier this year − said it was hard to rank his records.
“Being historically (the) number one ranked player in the world is probably the paramount achievement of our sport,” said Novak.
“It’s difficult for me to understand the magnitude of these achievements, you know, not just for myself but for the sport, while I’m still an active player.
“Probably when I retire, I’ll be able to reflect on that a little bit more and appreciate it a little bit more.”
Novak can take some satisfaction that he denied Daniil the world number one spot, though the Russian admitted his chances of toppling the Serbian were slim.
The two will meet in today’s final after title holder Daniil crushed the man he beat in last year’s final, Alexander Zverev, 6-2, 6-2, in the second semi-final.
It was a rude awakening for Alexander, who had come to Paris seeking his sixth title of the year after winning in Vienna last Sunday.
Novak said he hoped he would be able to put up a better performance than in the US Open final against Daniil, who calls the Serbian “his friend”.
“Last time we played, he outplayed me,” said Novak.
“I outplayed him in the finals of the Australian Open. It was quite straightforward matches, both of them.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to turn the tables around this time, learning from that experience in New York.
“But he is back to his best and seems to be in the groove.”
Daniil said he was sure Novak would have learned from the US Open defeat.
“Of course, winning the US Open would give me maybe some tactical things I want to try to repeat or use against Novak,” said Daniil, who described as “magical” the first time he played Novak in a Davis Cup tie.
“At the same time, we all know who Novak is. If he would not adapt to circumstances, he would not be where he is now.
“So, he’s definitely going to try to change something. I cannot know what it is he’s going to try to do, so I’m going to try to think about this," added the 25-year-old Russian.
Hubert has had a breakout season, winning the Miami Masters, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and on Friday, qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals.
The 24-year-old Pole could have capped it all by beating Novak but admitted the Serbian just had that edge when it came to big moments.
“Novak is such a great player, great competitor,” said Hubert.
“He’s just super solid in the very important moments.
“His return is really amazing. So, it just puts a lot of pressure on you. I always have to fight for every single point. It’s very, very intense.” – AFP, November 7, 2021
