For as long as Novak Djokovic continues to play tennis, he is not leaving any stone unturned, as he is now the joint record holder for the most ATP hard court titles in the Open Era.
Djokovic won the 71st hard court title of his career at the ATP Finals in Turin last Sunday, beating home favorite Jannik Sinner in a rematch from their group-stage encounter. Djokovic avenged the loss in resounding fashion, winning 6-3, 6-3.
The 36-year-old tied retired Swiss legend Roger Federer at the top of this distinction, who won the last of his 71st hard court title in his home city of Basel in 2019. The two stars are well clear of the next men on the list. Those are Andre Agassi (46), Jimmy Connors (43), and Pete Sampras (35).
The Serb compiled a strong record on hard courts in 2023, winning 37 of 39 matches and lifting six titles on the surface (two on indoor hard courts). Djokovic's 94.9% win rate is the best of any player on tour this season on hard courts, but trailed Daniil Medvedev in terms of match wins.
He has made the big stages his top priority this season, and he has successfully lived up to the ethos. Only one of his seven titles this year has been lower than an ATP 1000 and ends the season with a staggering 55-6 record on the ATP Tour.
At this rate, he'll need a new trophy cabinet for next season. Among other significant accomplishments include winning the ATP Finals for a record-breaking seventh time. He was tied with Federer on that front, but now has the record all by himself and is the ATP's year-end No. 1 for an unprecedented eighth time.
There is no rest for the weary, and Djokovic will have the chance to increase his win count on hard courts when he spearheads Serbia's Davis Cup bid at the 2023 Finals in Malaga this week.
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