Novak Djokovic assured of World No. 1 ranking until at least Australian Open after reaching ATP Finals final

Novak Djokovic has assured himself of the World No. 1 ranking until at least the 2024 Australian Open, after making it to the final of the 2023 ATP Finals. With no tournaments remaining on the 2023 ATP tour calendar, Djokovic will be the top seed at next year's Melbourne Major.

On Saturday, November 18, Djokovic cruised past Carlos Alcaraz 6-3, 6-2 in the semi-finals of the season-ending tournament. Alcaraz had a chance to get a break back at 15-40 in the second set, with Djokovic leading 3-2. But he was unable to capitalize as the Serb played some sublime tennis to hold for 4-2.

Djokovic will take on home favorite Jannik Sinner in the summit clash on Sunday, November 19. Sinner has been unbeaten throughout the tournament (4-0), snapping his losing streak to the Serb earlier this week in their round-robin match. The Italian prevailed over Djokovic 7-5, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2) in three hours and nine minutes.

Djokovic, the defending champion, is one win away from setting a new record by clinching his seventh ATP Finals title. He is currently tied with 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer at six.

---

Novak Djokovic: "I used last year’s circumstances as a fuel for this year"

Djokovic in the semifinal of the 2023 ATP Finals

In the press conference after his victory over Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday, Novak Djokovic said that last year’s circumstances fueled him for the 2023 season. In 2022, Djokovic was unable to compete at the Majors in Melbourne and Flushing Meadows because of his COVID-19 vaccination status.

"I guess last year's circumstances I used as a fuel for this year," Djokovic said.

The World No. 1 went on to say that 2023 has been a near-perfect season for him. Except for the Wimbledon Championships, where he was beaten by Alcaraz in the final, Djokovic won all the Majors on offer. The 36-year-old also finished the year as the world's top-ranked player for a record eight time.

"I had an almost perfect season [in 2023]; Grand Slam season. That mattered the most to me. Ended up the year as No. 1 in the world, reached all the objectives that I had, broke many records, made history of the sport. Of course, I'm thrilled with the season. But one more match to go. Hopefully I can crown the season with another win,” he said.