Paris – Novak Djokovic feels his lengthy, self-inflicted absences in 2022 have him “super-pumped and driven” to end a year that began with the disgrace of his deportation from Australia on a positive note.
A week after capturing the Tel Aviv trophy, the 35-year-old easily overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Astana tournament on Sunday.
“I could not have asked for a better season restart. I’m extremely energized and eager to finish the season as well as the last few weeks have gone “said the former number one in the world.
Following triumphs in Rome and Wimbledon, Djokovic now has four titles from just 10 events this season.
His victory in the Italian capital in May earned him his 38th Masters; his victory at Wimbledon in July tied Pete Sampras’ record of seven victories at the All England Club and elevated him to 21 Grand Slams.
Only Rafael Nadal has more men’s major titles, with 22.
All of this occurred during a year in which he was expelled from Melbourne and barred from entering North America due to his repeated reluctance to be vaccinated.
Except for the Laver Cup in London, which doubled as Roger Federer’s farewell, Djokovic did not play for the better part of three months following Wimbledon.
His “restart” in Israel occurred 16 years after his last appearance there.
Djokovic’s unwavering stance on vaccination caused him to miss two of the year’s four Grand Slams, the Australian and US Opens, and four of the year’s eight Masters, in Indian Wells, Miami, Montreal, and Montreal.
However, his victory in Kazakhstan on Sunday allowed him to qualify for the ATP Finals for the 15th time — only Federer (18), Jimmy Connors, and Rafael Nadal have qualified for the season-ending tournament more frequently.
When the tournament takes place in November in Turin, the Serb will aim to tie Federer with six victories, having been crowned champion in 2008 and every year from 2012 to 2015.
Prior to that, Djokovic, the only man to have twice won all Masters championships, will defend his Paris Masters title.
Djokovic stated on Sunday, “I’m simply incredibly grateful and privileged to be able to play this well at my age.” “Obviously, 35 is not 25”
Djokovic hopes that he will be able to fly to Melbourne and win his 10th Australian Open despite the denial of his visa in January, which triggered a three-year ban on his return.
The indicators are promising.
Last week, Tennis Australia president Craig Tiley told The Australian newspaper, “We are on the right path to win back all the top players.”
“We are in a different time period than we were nine months ago, and I believe the situation has shifted drastically. People are now again free to travel throughout the globe, and we want to have the top players here in January.”
© Agence France-Presse