At the end of 2019, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were separated by ten ATP finals. The Spaniard stood on 121, and the Serb counted 111. Novak was a much better player than Rafa in the previous three years, playing consistent tennis on every surface and reducing the deficit.
Djokovic reached seven ATP finals in 2022 and matched Nadal for the first time ahead of the new season. They entered 2023 even but did not stay neck and neck for too long. Novak used the opportunity to pass his great rival for the first time in a career in Adelaide, advancing to his 131st ATP final and becoming the fourth player to achieve that.
Djokovic started the new season with two victories over the French rivals. He faced world no. 18 Denis Shapovalov in the quarter-final and ousted him in straight sets to arrange the battle with world no. 7 Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic survived injury and beat the Russian in straight sets to advance into the final and pass Nadal.
Novak had to give his 120% to clinch the trophy, saving a match point in a thrilling 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 triumph over Sebastian Korda. The encounter lasted three hours and nine minutes, and two rivals pushed each other to the limit from start to finish.
They traded only three breaks and stayed neck and neck until the final set’s closing stages when Djokovic prevailed with a late break. They needed an hour and 13 minutes to complete the opening set, and it was a roller coaster ride.
Sebastian broke in the ninth game and served for the set. The young gun created three set points on serve in game ten and squandered them, including a routine backhand at the net on the third.
Novak Djokovic has played one ATP final more than Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic broke back following the rival’s backhand error and extended the battle.
Sebastian sprayed a backhand mistake in the 12th game and experienced a set point. Korda denied it with a booming serve and landed another to introduce a tie break. The youngster moved 5-2 up and cracked a backhand down the line winner in the tenth point to create two set points.
Novak stayed calm and climbed back to 6-6. Korda saved the second set point at 6-7 with a powerful serve and missed his chance at 8-7 after Novak’s good serve. Sebastian seized the seventh set point at 9-8 to wrap up the set after 73 minutes and cause Novak’s frustration.
Djokovic produced five comfortable holds in the second set before facing a match point at 5-6. The Serb denied it with a smash winner and held to introduce the second tie break. Korda saved two set points at 1-6 before Djokovic clinched the breaker 7-3 to force a decider.
Sebastian claimed four straight points from 30-0 down in the eighth game to level the score at 4-4 and increase the drama. Novak held after deuce in game nine and placed a backhand winner to move 5-4 up. Korda wasted game points in the next one before missing a smash and offering Djokovic a match point.
Novak converted it to celebrate the title and match Rafael Nadal’s 92 ATP titles. 
