Novak Djokovic: Having Won All 9 Masters Is One Of The Most Special Moments In My Career
- 115 Comments
Novak Djokovic was on top of the world Sunday winning a first Cincinnati title beating Roger Federer 64 64 in a final he had lost on five prior occasions, three to the Swiss.
The made Djokovic the very first player in history to have won all nine Masters events, something Federer nor Rafael Nadal have even come close to doing (both are two titles behind). And it may be a record that isn’t matched for decades.
Understandably, Djokovic was thrilled with the win.
“Definitely one of the most special moments in my career,” Djokovic said. “Achievements, making history of the sport that I truly love is a great privilege and honor and something that I’ll be very proud of for the rest of my life.
“This trophy has been a motivation, big motivation for me,” he said. “But at the same time I tried not to think about the pressure of really making history too much, because I have had already some failed attempts, three years ago with Roger, and coming into today’s match, I mean, wasn’t easy psychologically because I knew I lost to him every time I played him on this court. But at the same time, I liked my chances because I felt better and better as the tournament week was progressing.
“I felt that in the past when I had this particular, you know, circumstances in the tournament and matches where I come back, you know, from situations where I’m down a set and a break and I managed to win close matches, I usually come out semifinals or finals playing my best tennis.
“That’s something that I was hoping is going to happen again, and I believed that it will and it did. It was by far the best performance of the week.”
Djokovic already has won all four Grand Slams, won the ATP Finals, has finished No. 1 and won the Davis Cup. So what’s left? Olympic gold and maybe getting a bigger room for more trophies?
“It’s still much smaller than Roger’s room, that’s for sure, and Rafa’s and Jimmy Connors’,” he joked when comparing his trophy room to other tennis greats.
Djokovic now has 70 career titles, 39 behind the great Jimmy Connors, 28 from Federer and just 10 from Rafa.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S MASTERS TITLES
Indian Wells 5
Miami 6
Monte Carlo 2
Madrid 2
Rome 4
Canada 4
Cincinnati 1
Shanghai 3
Paris Indoor 4
OPEN ERA TITLE LEADERS
Jimmy Connors 109
Roger Federer 98
Ivan Lendl 94
Rafael Nadal 80
John McEnroe 77
Novak Djokovic 70
You Might Like:
Zverev Rolls Past Humbert To 7th Masters Title In Paris
Nadal Wins 89th Career ATP Title, Takes Down Cressy In Melbourne
Resurgent Rafael Nadal Wins Barcelona, Ties Guillermo Vilas’ All-Time Clay Mark
Haas Shocks Djokovic for Grasscourt Halle Title
Garcia Makes History, Beats Kvitova To Become First Qualifier To Win Cincinnati Masters