Novak Djokovic beats Casper Ruud to clinch sixth ATP Finals title

Novak Djokovic ends a turbulent season on a high – and equals Roger Federer’s record – by beating Casper Ruud to clinch his sixth ATP Finals title

  • Novak Djokovic clinched the ATP Finals title for a record-equalling sixth time
  • The 35-year-old defeated Casper Ruud in the singles final in Turin on Sunday 
  • Joe Salisbury became the first British player to win the doubles event 

A tour season that started in embarrassing chaos ended in triumph for Novak Djokovic after he clinched the ATP Finals title.

The 35-year-old Serb defeated Norwegian Casper Ruud in the singles final in Turin, while in the doubles Joe Salisbury became the first British player to win the secondary event at the year-end championships.

‘It’s deeply satisfying but also a big relief after what’s happened this year,’ Djokovic said after a 7-5, 6-3 win, which saw him level Roger Federer’s record of six ATP Finals titles.

Novak Djokovic lifted the ATP Finals title for a record-equalling sixth time on Sunday

He finishes the ATP year at world No 5, a remarkable achievement given that there were no ranking points when he lifted the trophy at Wimbledon.

He only played eleven tournaments in all, having been barred from Melbourne and from playing in the USA due to his Covid vaccine refusal. 

With Australia rescinding its three-year entry ban, he will be favourite to win a tenth Grand Slam title there in January.

The hold he continues to have over other players showed in the way Ruud never looked like believing he could win, despite Djokovic looking weary and physically shaky in the first set.

The 35-year-old Serb defeated Norwegian Casper Ruud in the singles final in Turin

Londoner Salisbury had earlier secured the biggest pay cheque of his career — £390,000 — when he and partner Rajeev Ram beat Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 7-6, 6-4.

After a fine display of serving from the Anglo-American duo, Ram said his team-mate played ‘out of this world’. 

Salisbury added: ‘That’s probably up there with the best matches we have ever played.’




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