Numero Uno Novak Djokovic Ends Miracle Year With Crowning Glory

3 Grand Slams & the season-ending ATP Finals title, but there is still something left to achieve for the world no 1.

• Novak Djokovic wraps up the season with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Roger Federer in the ATP World Tour Finals’ finale.
  
• Djokovic won a total of 11 ATP titles in 2015 alone, including 3 Grand Slam championships.
• He finishes the season with a win loss record of 82-6.
• In 2015, Djokovic became the first man in history to win six Masters events in a single season.

And so it ended. 2015. The year of the Djoker.

For the first time in the nearly five-decade history of the season ending ATP tour finals, a player has won the title four times in a row. Novak Djokovic can now take a break from this milestone-creating rampage and reflect on a year that will make jaws drop for generations. Let’s indulge ourselves for a minute.

All year, Djokovic lost six matches. He won 82.

He won three of the four Grand Slams.

He became the first man in history to win six Masters events in a single season.

He failed to make the final of one tournament of the sixteen he entered. And that came in his first tournament of the year in Doha in January.

He won eleven titles in all.

I am very proud of the achievements, this is the best season of my life. I am just trying to cherish every moment, as a kid you dream of winning these big tournaments.

Novak Djokovic, World number 1

This London night was dotted with a touch of the spectacular from the racquet of the 28-year old Serb, though at most times he was merely efficient. Across court was the only man to have beaten him more than once this year. Roger Federer had in fact quelled Djokovic thrice in their seven matches before this clash- in Dubai in February, Cincinnati in August and earlier this week in the group stage at London.

However, with the title on the line, Djokovic switched on to beast mode. Federer sparkled on occasion- finding the touch with his divine backhand a couple of times, saving a clutch of break points to extend the contest on another.

Yet, when the moment demanded, Djokovic found the magic. With the Swiss legend serving at 4-5 in the second set, he won a 34-shot exchange and scented the kill with a majestic, acutely angled forehand. Federer’s challenge ended with a meek double fault.

All year, players have found it impossible to unlock the formula to upstage the Serb. He was beaten in just five of his 36 matches against top-10 players over the year. In essence, in 2015 there was Novak Djokovic, daylight, some more daylight, and then everybody else.

Novak for the moment is almost unbeatable. He’s hitting amazing. The return is always amazing. This year he is serving great. And then he is able to play with no mistakes and changing directions so easy, playing so, so long. He’s doing everything good.

Rafael Nadal after his semifinal to Djokovic

So now what? Some boxes remain unchecked of course. The French Open, where an inspired Stan Wawrinka stunned him, will perhaps be on top of that bucket list. Fans will salivate at the prospect of a calendar Grand Slam in 2016. Serbia will be willing him on for an Olympic gold at Rio. Djokovic will have little choice but to embrace those expectations, but for now he can greedily covet a well-deserved indulgence.

“I will be with my wife and son and stay away from tennis for a bit and recharge batteries,” he told the packed arena in London, before ominously adding, “And then think about next season.”