Novak Djokovic revealed that his first ATP Finals victory was the toughest one. In 2008, a 21-year-old Djokovic captured his first ATP Finals title after beating Nikolay Davydenko 6-1 7-5. This past Sunday, Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets for this year’s ATP Finals title.
Now, Djokovic is tied with Roger Federer on the all-time ATP Finals list with six titles at the prestigious season-ending tournament. “Well, it’s been a while since the last trophy. Seven years, as you mentioned. I have a pretty good memory with my matches, all the things that I’ve achieved on the court.
Maybe I can’t recall exactly which win of this trophy and the tournament was the toughest one. I think each victory’s unique and particular in its own way. I think the first win in 2008 against Davydenko in Shanghai. The first one is always the most special one, of course.
So I probably would pick that one,” Djokovic explained, as quoted on Sportskeeda.
Djokovic on how he was able to bounce back after the Medvedev match
Djokovic didn’t need to win his last group stage match since he already sealed the top spot and a semifinal meeting versus Taylor Fritz.
But Djokovic refused to go lightly against Medvedev as he ended up edging Medvedev in a three-set thriller that lasted over three hours. In the next two days, Djokovic also defeated Taylor Fritz and Ruud to win his sixth ATP Finals title.
“I think most of all it’s what you tell to yourself. We talked about it. I think someone asked me after the Medvedev thriller, Where is the limit? I really feel that limit often times exists only in your mind and your perspective.
It’s an internal battle with myself because there’s one voice that is always telling you you can’t do it, you’re too tired, this and that, right? The bad guy and the good guy. You try to feed the good guy so he can become louder and stronger than the bad guy. It’s as simple as that,” Djokovic said.