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Novak Djokovic ended the first set with a brilliant forehand return winner - then he tensed his biceps and remained in the pose for a short time

Photo: Alessandro di Marco / EPA

The court is square, the ball is round and at the end of the year Novak Djokovic is at the top of the table: that's how things are going in tennis in 2023. With an opening victory at the ATP Finals against the Danish young star Holger Rune, coached by Boris Becker, the Serbian veteran ends the season in first place in the world rankings for the eighth time (previously 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021). No matter what the outcome of the final year of the eight best professionals of the year in Turin is.

"It means a lot to me. It was my first goal for the time here in Turin," said the defending champion from Turin on Monday night. I really wanted this victory today to get the monkey off my back, so to speak," said the Serb. All that's left is a bonus."

Djokovic had to work hard to get the one victory he was missing. It was only after 3:04 hours that his 7:6 (7:4), 6:7 (1:7), 6:3 against Rune in the Pali Alpi Tour was determined. On the way there, two rackets also broke late on Sunday evening.

When Djokovic lost his serve at the beginning of the third set after he had only managed a break shortly before, he stepped so two of his rackets that they broke.

The 20-year-old Rune was one break ahead in the first two sets, but could not defend the lead in each case. The first tiebreak was won by Djokovic, who won the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open this year. In the second tiebreak, Rune clearly had the upper hand. In the third round, Rune's strength waned.

Djokovic becomes the first player to be number one for 400 weeks

The 36-year-old Djokovic had already replaced the previous record holder Pete Sampras (six years at No. 1) two years ago. After this tournament, Djokovic will become the first player to be ranked No. 400 in the world for 1 weeks. Roger Federer (310) is the only other player to have surpassed the 300-week mark.

In the first match of the day, the Italian Jannik Sinner had clearly prevailed against the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6: 4, 6: 4 and thus took a first step towards the semifinals.

Alexander Zverev only intervenes in the action today. The Olympic champion will face Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz from Spain in his opening match from 14.30 p.m. (Sky). Other opponents in the preliminary round are the two Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrei Rublev.

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story stated that Novak Djokovic had finished the season as world number one for the eighth consecutive year. It is true that it was his eighth time in a row.

vgl/dpa