Nothing stops Novak Djokovic. The Serbian made sure, on Saturday 6 November, to end the year No. 1 in the world for the 7e year, by qualifying for the final of the Masters 1000 in Paris at the expense of Hubert Hurkacz.
Since his professional debut in 2003, Djokovic, 34, has finished at the top of the world hierarchy in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020 and therefore 2021. This season, he notably won the first three Majors (Open d ‘Australia, Roland Garros, Wimbledon) and played the final of the US Open to try to achieve a rare Grand Slam. He was prevented from doing so by Daniil Medvedev (2e world) which, until Saturday, could also deprive him of the record for the number of years finished as N ° 1.
Djokovic did not hide it, this record was one of his great goals, like the record for Grand Slam titles that he shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (20). His two big rivals finished five seasons on the world throne: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 for the Swiss, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019 for the Spaniard.
“That’s the main reason I’m here”, Nole had agreed on Friday after qualifying for the semi-finals. To achieve this, he beat the Pole of Hubert Hurkacz (10e) 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5).
54e Masters 1000 final and possible 37e title
Sunday, at the end of its 54e Masters 1000 final (record), he will have the opportunity to clinch a new record on his own with a 37e title in this category of tournaments just below the Majors, one more than Nadal. He will have to beat Daniil Medvedev for that. World No.2 and trophy holder Daniil Medvedev dominated World No.4 Alexander Zverev 6-2, 6-2.
The Russian, this time, made short work of the German crowned Olympic champion in Tokyo this summer, ejected in just an hour and twenty minutes and who smashed his racket at the start of the second round. Zverev may have paid off his recent streak as he won the title in Vienna last Sunday for the fifth time this season, after Acapulco, Madrid, Cincinnati and Olympic gold. He was playing his ninth game in a dozen days.
