It’s a dream: Novak Djokovic ends year as World No 1 for record 7th time

It was a dream come true for Serbian Novak Djokovic as he not only ended the year as World No 1 for a record 7th time but also reached the final of the Paris Masters. He did so beat beating Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5) in the semis on Saturday.

Djokovic moved one ahead of American Pete Sampras who has six-year end finishes as no 1, starting from 1993 to 1998. The Serbian is also chasing a record-extending sixth Paris Masters title.

“That was the goal this week. I’m very proud to finish the season as No. 1,” Djokovic said. “It’s a dream, honestly, because Sampras was such an idol for me when I was young. He motivated me to pick up the racket and try this sport.”

Djokovic also finished the year top in 2011-12, 2014-15, 2018 and 2020.

Djokovic eclipsed Roger Federer’s all-time mark of 310 weeks at No. 1 on March 8 and will finish 2021 having held the top ranking for 348 weeks.

Should he win the Paris Master, he will win a record 37th Masters title and move one clear of fellow 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal.

The top-ranked Serb has also reached a record-extending seventh final. Djokovic was in his 71st Masters’ semifinal and Hurkacz was just his second.

In the match, Djokovic had an opportunity to break back when he was 3-40 down in the next game. However, the Serb made two unforced errors and Hurkacz won the first set on his second set point.

In the second set, Djokovic bounced back in the second set and took control of the final set with a strong service game. He was leading 4-1 up.

But he ran into a blockade when his double-fault in the 7th game gave his opponent two break-points. Djokovic sarcastically applauded the crowd after some of them had cheered his double-fault. The Parisian crowd had also loudly cheered errors and double-faults from players who were up against Frenchman Hugo Gaston on Thursday and Friday.

Djoker was leading 5-4 and looked in a comfortable position. Serving to stay in the match, Hurkacz was denied a point when Djokovic won a 25-shot rally for a first match point.

He saved it on the second serve when Djokovic’s backhand landed just wide. He then held with an ace for 5-5.

Djokovic beat his chest three times and let out a roar as he celebrated his victory, then applauded his opponent off court.

“What a match, a lot of intensity,” Djokovic said. “It was very close.”

(With inputs from Associated Press)