Novak Djokovic will finish the 2023 season as year-end number one for a record-extending eighth time courtesy of his sensational opening win over Holger Rune at the ATP World Tour Finals.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner and Carlos Alcaraz were both in contention for the top ranking, although the latter would have only usurped Djokovic had he won the ATP Finals without defeat while the Serbian crashed out with no wins to his name.
Djokovic was given yet another rough ride by Danish youngster Rune, who defeated him in last year's Paris Masters final, but the 36-year-old came through 7-6[4] 6-7[1] 6-3 to assure himself of another year-end number one placement.
Djokovic also ended 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020 and 2021 at the top of the ATP rankings, moving clear of Pete Sampras's previous record of six in the latter year before being dethroned by Alcaraz in his disrupted 2022 season.
The Serbian had previously stated that the year-end number one ranking was his priority over another ATP Finals crown, and he said after his epic three-hour battle with Rune that any further success in 2023 is a "bonus".
"It means a lot. You could see there were a lot of emotions on the court. I could feel it. I was very eager to win tonight's match, get that monkey off my back," Djokovic said on the court after coming up trumps.
"I won Paris, which put me in a much better position rankings-wise, and I knew coming into Turin I only needed to win one match. A big goal is achieved, everything else now is a bonus."
Prior to Djokovic's opening triumph, home favourite Jannik Sinner began his quest for glory with a 6-4 6-4 beating of Stefanos Tsitsipas and now prepares to lock horns with Djokovic in Tuesday evening's Green group battle.
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