Seven-time year-end World No. 1 Serbian Novak Djokovic is not in contention for the coveted honor this week in Turin, but at the same time he is having an influence on the outcome. By defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in his debut, the 35-year-old ended the Greek’s chances of ending the year as No.
1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings. The two-time Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters champion and 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion needed to emerge as an undefeated champion in Turin to finish the year on top. Rafael Nadal is now the only man who can prevent the 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz from marking a milestone as the youngest year-end No.
1 in history. After losing his first round-robin match to Taylor Fritz, Nadal must win his first season-ending tournament to finish No.1 year-end for the sixth time. Even though Tsitsipas fell short of reaching No. 1 for the first time this time around, he is hopeful that he will eventually make it to his day.
“If I had won all my matches, I’m sure I deserved the place. He was showing a good performance and a lot of consistency,” he said. “But look, this isn’t really occupying my mind too much. I’m a little bit excited to have the opportunity to do something this week that can give me a record, a personal best and a milestone.
I deeply believe that I can get to that place one day. I’m not in a big hurry, to be honest. Of course, it would have been better if it happened this week. I’m here more for a marathon. I see the bigger picture, the long term.
I have many opportunities next year to play good tennis. If it comes, I will be very happy, my country will be very happy, my family will be happy”.
Djokovic on the conditions in Turin
Novak Djokovic explained how the conditions in Turin aid quality servers like himself and Tsitsipas.
“Well, I started off the match very well. I knew that there’s probably going to be a lot of easy-won service games from both him and I because the conditions are such where there’s an altitude, it’s fast, it’s very difficult to return.
If you’re serving well, if you’re hitting your spots well, being precise, you win a lot of free points. That was the case,” he explained. “It was presented to me. I was really sharp and focused. I used the chance.
Obviously that affects the whole game,” he added. “Even if it’s the first game, I knew it was on his mind. I just wanted to be consistent and keep serving well, which I did.”
