- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Novak Djokovic finished the best season of his life in fitting style as the world No.1 crushed Roger Federer 6-3 6-4 on Sunday to win the ATP Tour Finals title for a record fourth successive year.
Djokovic is the first player in the tournament’s 46-year history to take home the trophy four years in a row and he joins Pete Sampras and Ivan Lendl on five victories at the season-ending event.
Only Federer, with six Tour Finals crowns, has won the tournament more times.
The 11th title of Djokovic’s astonishingly dominant campaign served as the perfect finale to arguably the best run by any male player in the Open Era.
Playing in a record 15th consecutive tour-level final, Djokovic delivered another masterclass to record his 82nd victory from 88 matches this year and bank the winners’ cheque for more than $A1.4million.
“I’m very proud, together with my team, for the achievements of the season. It could not have been a better finish. It’s been a long season, but the best of my life,” said Djokovic.
In dispatching Federer with such ease after an equally imperious semi-final win over Rafael Nadal, Djokovic showed why he has been able to move so far ahead of his rivals in a year in which he also won Wimbledon and the Australian and US Opens.
Meanwhile, Federer’s defeat means Andy Murray is guaranteed to finish second in the year-end world rankings for the first time.
“I tried my best, I thought I played some great tennis all week and in the final, but Novak deserves the win today like so many times this year,” said 34-year-old Federer.
Djokovic and Federer have been the gold standard at the Tour Finals for over a decade, lifting the trophy 10 times between them in the last 12 years and making it to the final a combined 15 times.
1. Rod Laver, 1969
Grand Slams: 4
Titles: 18
Winning Record 106-16 (86.9%)
The only man in the history of the Open Era to claim the calendar grand slam, Laver’s 1969 season was all class at every tournament. The Australian claimed a record 18 titles, and when it came to grand slam finals, he dropped just two sets. His $171,400 in earnings was also a record at the time.
2. Jimmy Connors, 1974
Grand Slams: 3
Titles: 15
Winning Record: 93-4 (95.9%)
Had it not been for a ban imposed on him at the French Open, Jimmy Connors could easily have claimed the calendar grand slam. Unable to participate due to his association with World Team Tennis, Connors won the finals of the other three majors by dropping on a combined three sets in deciders. His mark of 15 titles is also the third most of all time.
3. Roger Federer, 2006
Grand Slams: 3
Titles: 12
Masters Wins: 4 (plus Tour ending)
Winning Record: 92-5 (94.8%)
In a career full of highlights, Roger Federers’ 2006 season is a standout. The Swiss ace dropped just five of his 97 matches, and won 75 of the 77 matches he played on surfaces other than clay. A four-set loss to rival Rafael Nadal in the final of the French Open is a rare blemish in a near perfect year.
4. Novak Djokovic, 2015
Grand Slams: 3
Titles: 11
Masters Wins: 6 (plus Tour ending)
Winning Record: 82-6 (93.2%)
Often overshadowed by the likes of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic earned his place in history when he won a record fourth straight ATP Tour Finals in London. The Djoker won the Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon, and dropped only the French Open to Stan Wawrinka. He also made it to at least the semi-finals in all but one of the tournaments he entered.
5. John McEnroe, 1984
Grand Slams: 2
Titles: 13
Winning Record: 82-3 (96.5%)
McEnroe’s mark of two grand slam titles in 1984 don’t do him justice. The lively American skipped the Australian Open and went down after winning the first two sets of the French Open final against Ivan Lendl. Away from the majors though he won 42 straight matches, and also helped the United States win the World Team Cup and finish runner-up in the Davis Cup.
6. Roger Federer, 2007
Grand Slams: 3
Titles: 8
Masters Wins: 2 (plus Tour ending)
Winning Record: 68-9 (88.3%)
While not quite as great as the season that preceded it, Federer’s 2007 efforts were nothing to be sneezed at. He again made all four grand slam finals and dropped only the French, dropping just nine sets across the four major tournaments.
With AAP
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.