Djokovic becomes first player to qualify for ATP Finals after Wimbledon win

[July 12, 2021]  (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic became the first player to qualify for this year's ATP Finals after the world number one tied Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal's record with his 20th major at Wimbledon on Sunday.

Djokovic defeated Italy's Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-3 in the final to seal a sixth Wimbledon title and qualify for the Nov. 14-21 ATP Finals in Turin.

"I am happy to have qualified for Turin so early," Djokovic, who will play in his 14th ATP Finals, said in a statement.

"Italian fans are very much into tennis so I am sure it will be a great event with a fantastic atmosphere."
 

The Serbian will look to win the season finale for the sixth time, aiming to match Swiss ace Federer's record at the event.

The 34-year-old, who is on course to finish the year as the top-ranked player for a record-breaking seventh time, has won 34 out of 37 matches this year.

Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, the 2019 ATP Finals champion, is next in line to qualify in the second position for the Turin event, followed by local favourite Berrettini.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his final match against Italy's Matteo Berrettini Pool via REUTERS/David Gray

Rafa Nadal, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner all feature in the Top 12 with four months remaining in the regular ATP Tour season.

(Reporting by Manasi Pathak in Bengaluru; Editing by Christian Radnedge)

[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved.]

Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.  Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.