Publish : 07 Nov 2021, 11:00 AMUpdate : 23 Dec 2021, 08:19 PM
Novak Djokovic gained some consolation in missing out on a Grand Slam sweep this year by being crowned season-ending world No 1 for a record seventh time Saturday.
The 34-year old Serbian had jointly held the record of six with Pete Sampras but took sole possession when he beat Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) to reach the Paris Masters final.
Djokovic had taken a seven-week break after his dreams of a Grand Slam sweep were dashed by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final in September.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said Friday the main reason for him returning this week was to seal the No 1 spot and break the record.
Djokovic can take some satisfaction that he has denied Medvedev the world No 1 spot, though the Russian admitted his chances of toppling the Serbian were slim.
The two could meet in Sunday's final as title holder Medvedev plays the man he beat in last year's final Alexander Zverev in the second semi-final.
Zverev, though, is on a hot streak and came to Paris having won his fifth title of the year in Vienna.
Hurkacz has had a breakout season, winning the Miami Masters, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and Friday qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals.
The 24-year old Pole could have capped it all in beating Djokovic but admitted the Serbian just had that edge when it came to big moments.
Djokovic breaks idol Sampras' world No 1 record
Novak Djokovic gained some consolation in missing out on a Grand Slam sweep this year by being crowned season-ending world No 1 for a record seventh time Saturday.
The 34-year old Serbian had jointly held the record of six with Pete Sampras but took sole possession when he beat Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) to reach the Paris Masters final.
Djokovic had taken a seven-week break after his dreams of a Grand Slam sweep were dashed by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final in September.
However, the 20-time Grand Slam champion said Friday the main reason for him returning this week was to seal the No 1 spot and break the record.
Djokovic can take some satisfaction that he has denied Medvedev the world No 1 spot, though the Russian admitted his chances of toppling the Serbian were slim.
The two could meet in Sunday's final as title holder Medvedev plays the man he beat in last year's final Alexander Zverev in the second semi-final.
Zverev, though, is on a hot streak and came to Paris having won his fifth title of the year in Vienna.
Hurkacz has had a breakout season, winning the Miami Masters, reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals and Friday qualifying for the season-ending ATP Finals.
The 24-year old Pole could have capped it all in beating Djokovic but admitted the Serbian just had that edge when it came to big moments.
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