[ad_1]
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – October 1, 2020 Serbian Novak Djokovic celebrates winning his second round match against Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania REUTERS / Christian Hartmann
Novak Djokovic has said he had mixed feelings about ending a “strange year” as the world’s number one for the sixth time after the season was hit hard by the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Djokovic won a record-extending eighth Australian Open, as well as a record 36th Masters title in Rome, winning four individual titles in total en route to the number one year-end rankings.
The 33-year-old is 39-3 in a season that saw numerous tournaments suspended or canceled between March and August due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has killed more than 1.3 million people around the world.
“Obviously, I’m very proud of it, but I have mixed emotions about what’s going on in the world,” Djokovic told the ATP Tour website.
“I cannot ignore that, even though I have achieved one of the greatest goals in sport. I feel that many people in the world are going through difficulties and my heart goes out to them. “
Djokovic’s feat saw him match childhood hero Pete Sampras, who finished the year as number one six times from 1993 to 1998.
The Serbian begins his quest for a record-setting sixth ATP Finals title when he meets Argentine Diego Schwartzman in the group stage later on Monday.
Read next
Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer and more than 70 other titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download from 4am and share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.
For comments, complaints or inquiries, please contact us.
[ad_2]
