Novak Djokovic missed two Majors and four Masters 1000 events in 2022. Still, the Serb wrapped up the season with five titles, including his 21st Major crown and the sixth ATP Finals trophy. Djokovic finished inside the top-5 despite a reduced schedule and 2000 points missed at Wimbledon, eager for more in 2023.
Stefanos Tsitsipas praised Novak as a player to beat. The Greek hailed the Serb’s professionalism and hard-working approach, stating that Novak took tennis to another level. Djokovic had a rough four months at the start of the year after missing the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami.
Novak lost the Belgrade final to Andrey Rublev before raising his level in May. Djokovic lost a thriller to Carlos Alcaraz in Madrid and conquered his 38th Masters 1000 trophy in Rome to gain a boost. Novak toppled three top-10 rivals in a row and looked promising ahead of Roland Garros.
The Serb lost an epic clash to Rafael Nadal in over four hours in the quarter-final and bounced back at Wimbledon.
Stefanos Tsitsipas praised Novak Djokovic.
Novak claimed his seventh Wimbledon crown and the 21st Major title following a win over Nick Kyrgios, lifting the trophy but missing 2000 points on his tally.
Novak could not play Canada, Cincinnati and the US Open due to his vaccination status, missing a chance to win more titles. Djokovic lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Laver Cup before embracing an indoor winning streak. Novak’s third ATP title came in Tel Aviv over Marin Cilic.
A week later, the Serb conquered the ATP 500 event in Astana after beating Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Novak was the favorite at the Paris Masters, seeking his seventh crown in the French capital. Djokovic advanced to his 56th Masters 1000 final and faced the young gun Holger Rune.
The Dane ousted the Serb 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 to secure his first Masters 1000 title and end Novak’s streak of 13 wins. Djokovic was a player to beat at the ATP Finals, seeking his sixth title at the premium ATP event. The Serb secured five top-10 triumphs to wrap up the season in style and lift his 91st ATP trophy.
Djokovic is eager to return to Australia in a couple of weeks and seek his tenth Australian Open title. “Novak is the most formidable player to beat and the most consistent one. He is a perfectionist who took tennis to another level.
His diet, physical work, flexibility and professionalism in each area are incredible. There is not a single aspect that he neglects; he has progressed to stand where he is now,” Stefanos Tsitsipas said.
