Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have been the dominant players on the ATP Tour for almost two decades. The three legends have set many records that will hardly be matched, extending their incredible legacy and transmitting our sport to another level.
Roger, Rafa and Novak have been the most accomplished players on an outdoor court, mainly thanks to their incredible record at Majors and the Masters 1000 events. The famous trio stands above all their rivals, scoring at least 850 outdoor ATP victories.
Roger Federer did that first, followed by Rafael Nadal, who should celebrate his 1000th outdoor ATP win this year. Novak Djokovic joined the exclusive group following his 92nd ATP title in Adelaide, delivering his 850th outdoor ATP win in the title clash against Sebastian Korda.
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 against world no. 7 Daniil Medvedev.
Novak Djokovic has scored 850 outdoor ATP wins.
Djokovic survived a left leg injury and beat the Russian in straight sets to advance into the final.
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 after three hours and nine minutes. They traded only three breaks and stayed neck and neck until the final set’s closing stages when Djokovic prevailed with a late break.
Two rivals needed an hour and 13 minutes to complete the roller coaster in the opening set. Sebastian broke in the ninth game and served for it. 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.
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 it 7-3 and forced 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 his 850th outdoor ATP win.
