With his 6-2, 6-2 victory over Tomas Berdych, Novak Djokovic has clinched the ATP’s year-end ranking for the third time in the last four seasons.
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Djokovic, who entered the week with a 1,310 point lead over world No. 2 Roger Federer, needed to win all three of his round-robin matches to clinch the top spot. He did that, dropping only nine games in three matches for an ATP World Tour Finals round-robin record.
“It’s been a long year,” said Djokovic at a presentation after the match. “I’m just glad to be standing here with the trophy knowing how many legends of the sport have done the same. Just looking at the history of how many players have left a legacy and made a mark in this sport is something that I appreciate very much. I respect and love this sport, and that’s why I value this achievement very much.”
Djokovic becomes one of seven ATP players to have claimed the No. 1 year-end ranking three or more times. They are: Pete Sampras (6), Roger Federer (5), Jimmy Connors (5), Ivan Lendl (4), John McEnroe (4) and Rafael Nadal (3).
2014 marks the 11th consecutive season that either Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Djokovic has finished No. 1.