Novak Djokovic closed his 2022 with a flourish, triumphing for the sixth time at the ATP Finals and equaling Roger Federer’s record. The former world number 1 did not give way to Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud, proving that he is still the man to beat.
Despite a season heavily conditioned by his choice not to get vaccinated against the Coronavirus, the Serbian phenomenon managed to win Wimbledon, the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, the ATP Finals in Turin, the ATP 500 in Astana and the ATP 250 in Tel Aviv.
In addition to equaling his idol Pete Sampras with seven wins at Church Road, the 35-year-old from Belgrade has moved within just one distance of Rafael Nadal in the rankings of all Grand Slams. The Serbian will try to join the 2023 Australian Open, after being authorized by the local government to travel to Australia next January.
After a few weeks of negotiations, the three-year ban on the Serb was lifted. Although Novak Djokovic was recently authorized by the government to travel to Australian territory with the aim of participating in the Australian Open (from January 16 to 29, 2023), the Serb should, according to various Serbian media, start his year with the Adelaide ATP 250, scheduled for January 2-8.
Nole will not be the only one to start his season in Adelaide as Andy Murray has confirmed, through a statement, his participation. “Playing in the Adelaide International for the first time is something that makes me very excited.
The Australian public loves tennis and has always been very supportive of me. I have worked a lot in the pre-season and the Adelaide International will be a great preparation for the Australian Open. I’m looking forward to seeing what Adelaide and 2023 have in store for me,” said the Briton.
Janko Tipsarevic talks about Djokovic
Janko Tipsarevic, captain of the Serbian national team at the North Palmyra Trophy, the controversial exhibition organized in Saint‐Petersburg, spoke about his compatriot Novak Djokovic.
For him, everything is crystal clear and his friend has again silenced the critics. “In my opinion, first of all, Novak Djokovic is the best tennis player of all time. And in the end, the bans did not stop him, quite the contrary.
Nole Djokovic won six or seven tournaments and finished in the top five in 2022. For me, he remains simply the best tennis player in the world.”
