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Djokovic defeat Italian Sinner in the ATP Finals title match <\/p>\n
It is not a coincidence that Djokovic saved his peak for the 20-year-old Alcaraz, a player Djokovic has praised as the most complete opponent he has faced, and the 22-year-old Sinner, who the Serbian sees as a future No 1. Sinner underlined his standing as the year\u2019s most improved player with his first-ever victory over the 24-time grand slam champion earlier in the week, roared on by his home fans in northern Italy, but was tamed by Djokovic\u2019s ruthlessness and unerring accuracy in Sunday\u2019s final.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve 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,\u201d Djokovic said after his record-breaking ATP Finals victory. It is clear ahead of 2024 that Djokovic\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
And in 2024, Djokovic will be driven by the ultimate goal and the chance to claim a record that only comes around every four years – given he will be 41 in 2028, perhaps this will be the last time as well. <\/p>\n
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 \u2018golden slam\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
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Djokovic surpassed Roger Federer\u2019s ATP Finals record <\/p>\n
Djokovic was matter of fact. In 2021, he arrived in Tokyo having won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon, only for his dream to crumble in the semi-finals after a defeat to Alexander Zverev. By the US Open, Djokovic was exhausted and the grand slam evaporated too with defeat to Medvedev in New York.<\/p>\n
But Djokovic manages his schedule differently now. His plan for 2024 will focus exclusively around the five gems in the golden slam crown. <\/p>\n
"Well, you can win four slams and an Olympic gold," he said. "I have always the highest ambitions and goals. That\u2019s not going to be different for the next year. The drive that I have is still there. My body has been serving me well, listening to me well. I have a great team of people around me. Motivation, especially for the biggest tournaments in sport, is still present. It still inspires me to keep going."<\/p>\n
The competition is inspiring, too. But as Alcaraz achieved the impossible at Wimbledon, and then as Sinner threatened to do the same in Turin, Djokovic raised the standard again. No doubt, he\u2019s the best player in the world. <\/p>\n