Novak Djokovic holds the record with seven year-end no. 1 honors, leaving his idol Pete Sampras with six. Novak’s greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, backs the Serb to chase his eighth year-end no. 1 award this season, picking him as the favorite for the season’s best player!
Djokovic has been a player to beat in 2023, winning all 12 matches and adding 2250 points to his tally. Novak could not play two Majors and four Masters 1000 events in 2022. Also, he did not get a well-deserved 2000 points for the Wimbledon title.
Despite that, the Serb wrapped up the year in the top-5, 2000 points behind the leader Carlos Alcaraz. Things have changed for Novak drastically in 2023, returning to the Australian Open and securing his tenth Melbourne Park crown.
Also, Djokovic will be able to compete at the US Open in September and take the points at Wimbledon, looking good to keep all the rivals behind.
Rafael Nadal picked Novak Djokovic as the year-end no. 1 player.
Novak lost the Roland Garros crown to Nadal last June.
Since then, the Serb has won six out of seven tournaments, experiencing only one loss at the ATP tournaments! Djokovic wrapped up the 2022 season with the ATP Finals crown, adding 1500 points to his tally and earning a chance to become world no.
1 again this season. Novak conquered Adelaide at the start of 2023, saving a match point versus Sebastian Korda and lifting his 92nd ATP trophy. The Serb experienced a hamstring injury on his left leg, not knowing what to expect at the Australian Open.
After the opening three rounds, things did not look well for Novak, who was struggling but still advancing into the last 16. The Serb brought a doctor from Belgrade to Melbourne, and everything went well for him after that.
Novak took down Alex de Minaur, Andrey Rublev and Tommy Paul in straight sets to secure a place in his tenth Australian Open final. Seeking his 22nd Major and the ATP throne at 35, Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 56 minutes to write the record books and become world no.
1. If Novak keeps this form, it will be tough to stop him for the rest of the season, regardless of the surface. The Serb is motivated to chase all four Major titles in 2023, feeling good about his tennis and chances against the younger opponents.
