Novak Djokovic: 'I enjoy competing and traveling, doing what I love'

For the sixth time in his career, Novak Djokovic has secured the year-end no. 1 honor after a rock-solid season. The Serb claimed four ATP titles, including a Major and two Masters 1000 events, taking the ATP throne away from Rafael Nadal after the Australian Open and looking good to pass Roger Federer's record of 310 weeks as world no. 1 in March. After failures at the US Open and Roland Garros, Novak took Vienna wild card and secured the year-end no. 1 spot ahead of Rafael Nadal, heading to the ATP Finals and seeking the first title in London since 2015. In the semi-final, Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem played one of the best encounters of the entire season, with the Austrian scoring a 7-5, 6-7, 7-6 triumph in two hours and 54 minutes. Thiem won four points more than Djokovic, converting one out of two break chances and fending off all three break points to cross the finish line after drama and excitement in all three sets.

Speaking after the match, Djokovic said he doesn't feel relieved about the season-ending, repeating he still loves to compete, travel and do what he likes the most. Dominic had 50 winners and 39 unforced errors, throwing everything at Novak and beating the five-time ATP Finals champion in the more extended exchanges to cross the finish line first. Djokovic saved four match points in the second set tie break, extending the encounter and opening a 4-0 advantage in the deciding the break, only to drop seven of the next eight points and propel Thiem over the top.

In the last match of the season, Novak Djokovic lost to Dominic Thiem in London.

They both served well in the opening set, and Djokovic was two points away from taking it at 5-4. Thiem kept his coolness and brought that tenth game home, secured a break at 5-5 and closed the set with an ace down the T line in game 12.

The Austrian fended off two set points at 5-6 in set number two to reach a tie break and earned four match points that could have sent him over the top. Djokovic repelled them all to stay alive, performing one of his famous turnarounds and stealing the breaker 12-10 for a massive boost ahead of the final set. Two great rivals started all over in set number three, reaching the decisive tie break to determine the finalist. Dominic opened it with a double fault and fell 3-0 down after Novak's two service winners. Eager to overcome the obstacles, Dominic came from 4-0 down and won the next five points for a remarkable recovery and a 5-4 lead thanks to an ace. A fantastic backhand crosscourt winner brought him two match points, converting the second to move over the top and advance into the final for the second straight season.

"I'm not relieved; I enjoy playing tennis. Why would I be relieved? It's just disappointing to finish the season with a loss like this, but at the same time, I enjoy competing and traveling, doing what I love. Yeah, let's see what 2021 brings; I'm not sure. Australia is around the corner in a way, but no one can reach it before January. It's going to be a bit longer preseason for all of us, wherever we are based. Then let's see from there," Novak Djokovic said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/39CR8Mq