Novak Djokovic has ensured a 15th career appearance at the ATP Finals after winning the Astana Open. The 21-time Slam champion defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 to win a second title in as many weeks in Kazakhstan. After claiming Tel Aviv last week, Djokovic now has 90 career ATP singles titles to his name.
As a result he places fifth all-time on the ATP tour for singles titles won. He only trails Rafael Nadal (92), Ivan Lendl (94), Roger Federer (103) and Jimmy Connors (109).
“I dared to dream actually,” Djokovic said of whether he could have expected such success before becoming a pro. “I always hoped that I would have a great career. Obviously I didn’t know the amount of finals I was going to play and the amount of tournaments I was going to win.
“But my intention was always to reach the highest heights in our sport. I’m just very grateful and blessed to be able to play this well at this stage of my life.
“35 is not the same as 25. But I think the experience in this kind of big matches and bog occasions helps as well to approach mentally in a right way these kind of matches.”
Djokovic has now confirmed he will finish the season ranked inside the top 20. That in combination with his Wimbledon title guarantees him a spot in Turin for the ATP Finals.
Elation for Djokovic contrasted with despair for Tsitsipas. The Greek is now 0-9 in ATP 500 finals as he is yet to win a title at that level. Two of those have now come against Djokovic as the Serb’s lead in their head-to-head stretches to 8-2.
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