Novak Djokovic sends emphatic message to rivals ahead of last shot at ultimate goal

After his recent defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final four months ago, Novak Djokovic reflected, “He’s the best player in the world, no doubt.” If the 36-year-old was setting himself a challenge, the past four months have shown how Djokovic responded: faced with a new rival at this stage of his career, Djokovic has risen again. He finishes the year as the undisputed world No 1, the best player in the world, and still the one to beat ahead of 2024.

In Turin on Sunday, Djokovic capped another dominant season by writing another record into the history books. His straight-sets victory over Jannik Sinner secured a seventh ATP Finals crown and added to victories at three of the four grand slams this year. The ATP Finals ensured he finished with a flourish, and a symbolic one at that, after securing the year-end No 1 ranking at the start of the week.

“I’ve been very proud of the past two performances, against Alcaraz and Sinner, the best two players in the world – next to me and [Daniil] Medvedev at the moment,” Djokovic said after his record-breaking ATP Finals victory. It is clear ahead of 2024 that Djokovic expects to face not only Alcaraz, but Sinner as well in grand slam finals next season – and his performance in Turin showed just how motivated Djokovic remains to continue to deny the hopes and dreams of the younger generation while he still can.

But the Paris Olympics looms at the end of July. The Olympic gold medal is the only major title Djokovic has not won in his career and it would form the cornerstone of his ‘golden slam’ attempt of winning all four grand slams and the Olympics in a single year – a feat achieved only by Steffi Graff in 1988, never before by a male player.

As the competition inspires, Djokovic remains undeterred by the up-and-coming players and is set on maintaining his status as the best player in the world.

“No doubt, he’s the best player in the world,” Djokovic said.