The Masters 1000 series has seen almost 300 tournaments since Indian Wells 1990. Only four players have won the title after turning 34, with four legends standing alone on the list. Andre Agassi achieved that in Cincinnati 2004, followed by Roger Federer at the same event 11 years later.
Roger raised the bar higher in 2017, lifting three titles and becoming the first Masters 1000 champion at 35 and 36. The Swiss made one last push and lifted the trophy in Miami 2019 at 37 years and seven months, securing the record that will take some beating in the future.
Rafael Nadal joined the list in Rome last year, winning the title a couple of weeks before turning 35.
Novak Djokovic is the second-oldest Masters 1000 champion.
Novak Djokovic dethroned Rafa at Foro Italico this May, becoming the champion a couple of days before turning 35 and standing as the second-youngest Masters 1000 winner.
Novak had a chance to become the second player with a Masters 1000 trophy in his hands after Federer a couple of weeks ago in Paris. Djokovic reached the final and set his eyes on the seventh Paris Masters crown. However, he experienced a tough 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 loss to the young Dane Holger Rune to settle with the runner-up prize.
Holger toppled Novak in two hours and 33 minutes to become the fourth-youngest Masters 1000 winner. Novak played well in the opener and created break chances at the start of the second. Holger denied them and raised his level to break a six-time winner and force a decider.
The Serb squandered a game point that could have sent him 4-1 up and allowed the Dane to break back and extend the duel. Djokovic sprayed a forehand mistake in the 11th game to fall 6-5 behind and let the rival serve for the title.
The 12th game saw a real roller coaster, lasting for 17 minutes! Novak created six break points that could have prolonged the battle and introduced a deciding tie break. Rune stayed calm in his first notable ATP final and delivered the right shots to avoid errors.
Holger saved those six break chances and seized the second match point to become the youngest champion in Paris since Boris Becker in 1986! Djokovic will have more chances at the Masters 1000 level in 2023, especially if he gets an opportunity to compete in the USA in March.
