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July 13, 2021

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Djokovic qualifies for ATP Finals

Source: Agencies | 00:05 UTC+8 July 13, 2021 | Print Edition

Novak Djokovic became the first player to qualify for this year’s ATP Finals after the world No. 1 tied Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s record with his 20th major at Wimbledon on Sunday.

Djokovic defeated Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the final to seal a sixth Wimbledon title and qualify for the November 14-21 ATP Finals in Turin.

“I am happy to have qualified for Turin so early,” Djokovic, who will play in his 14th ATP Finals, said. “Italian fans are very much into tennis so I am sure it will be a great event with a fantastic atmosphere.”

The Serbian will look to win the season finale for the sixth time, aiming to match Swiss ace Federer’s record at the event. The 34-year-old, who is on course to finish the year as the top-ranked player for a record-breaking seventh time, has won 34 out of 37 matches this year.

Djokovic had the weight of tennis history on his shoulders and an Italian with dynamite on his racket strings to contend with but emerged victorious to earn a sixth Wimbledon title.

Matteo Berrettini, playing inspired tennis in his first Grand Slam final, unleashed everything in his formidable arsenal to rock Djokovic in a riveting contest. But it was not enough to stop the indefatigable Serb, who found his best when required, to pull through on what looks like being a momentous day in the raging argument about who will go down as the greatest of all time.

In a year that is brewing into something extraordinary, the world No. 1 has won the season’s first three majors and will become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar-year Grand Slam if he wins the US Open in September.

Not only that but with the Olympics looming, the one title to elude Djokovic, he is within sight of the fabled Golden Slam — something no man has achieved.

After Berrettini chipped a backhand into the net to end the final, Djokovic fell to his back before standing arms aloft, soaking in the acclaim of 15,000 fans.

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