On the back of winning his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam crown, Novak Djokovic secured his 14th qualification for the season finale.
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Novak Djokovic has become the first singles player to qualify for the 2021 Nitto ATP Finals, which will be held from November 14 to 21 at the Pala Alpitour in Turin. He bagged the first of eight spots at the year-end finale, which will be conducted towards the end of the season. The Serbian captured a record-equalling 20th Grand Slam title over Matteo Berrettini at The Championships, Wimbledon on Sunday. He won his third straight major crown of this calendar year to draw level with all-time leaders Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The World No. 1 will be attempting to win the season finale for the sixth time in Turin, which would equal Federer’s record at the event.
Djokovic has now secured his 14th qualification for the season finale after winning his sixth Wimbledon title. He has been in incredible form this season, having won the first two Grand Slams – Australian Open and French Open – of the year. He has a good chance of claiming the calendar-year Grand Slam, with only the US Open left. “I am happy to have qualified for Turin so early,” said Djokovic. “Italian fans are very much into tennis so I am sure it will be a great event with a fantastic atmosphere.”
Meanwhile, Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, said, “Novak’s results this season have been nothing short of extraordinary. The Nitto ATP Finals is reserved for the best and qualifying for a 14th time reflects the excellence he brings, year after year. We look forward to witnessing him continue to chase history in Turin.”
The 34-year-old has competed in the Nitto ATP Finals from 2007 to 2016 and again from 2018 to 2020. He first won the trophy in 2008, when the event was held in Shanghai, and then four years in a row between 2012 and 2015, when it happened in London. The Serbian is on course to finish 2021 as year-end No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for a record-breaking seventh time – eclipsing Pete Sampras (1993-1998).
Angelo Binaghi, President of the Italian Tennis Federation, said, “We are delighted to have the certainty so far in advance that the World No. 1 will play in Turin in the first Italian edition of the Nitto ATP Finals. Djokovic is not only a great champion, who always ensure a great show, but he is also an idol of the Italian public. Of course, I sincerely hope that our Matteo Berrettini will also qualify for Turin, so that he can have the opportunity to have the rematch of Wimbledon with Novak.”
The 2019 Nitto ATP Finals champion, Stefanos Tsitsipas, is next in line to qualify in the second position in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin, followed by Italian player Berrettini. Last week, Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic became the first doubles team to clinch their places at the Nitto ATP Finals. The World No. 1 team has captured eight trophies this year, including the Wimbledon title on Saturday.
