Novak Djokovic added another victory to his resume at the 2022 Italian Open, defeating Casper Ruud and winning his 1,000th career match.
Djokovic defeated fifth-seeded Casper Ruud in the semi-final of the 2022 Italian Open in Rome after failing to reach the final in Madrid. He bested the Norwegian player 6-4, 6-3.
The Serbian had yet to lose a set in the Italian capital going into the match, and he retained his 'clean sheet' following the semifinal encounter as he reached his 1000th career win.
Naturally, his 1,000th career win was celebrated, and Djokovic was happy with how the crowd celebrated his milestone after seeing his two rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, also celebrate it before him.
"Thanks to the tournament and the crowd for celebrating the milestone with me. I've seen Roger and Rafa celebrate those milestones in the last couple of years and I was looking forward to get to that 1,000 myself."
"I'm really, really blessed and privileged to have that many victories on the Tour. It's been a long time, ever since I won my first match on the Tour. Hopefully I can keep going and many more victories to come."
Although recording 1,000th career win is a significant achievement, Djokovic will now focus on his tournament instead of milestones, and he also summarized his win over Ruud.
"I thought I played very well. Started fantastic, 4-0. Then I did slow down a bit. I did drop my level and I wasn't feeling that great on the court for about 15, 20 minutes. He used that, managed to get himself back in the first set. It was important to close it out in the 10th game, clinch the first set."
"Second set it was a close couple of games in the beginning, but I always felt like I was in his service games, always had chances. I felt I played really, really well in the first four games, the last four games of the match. Hopefully I can take that level into tomorrow's final."
In the final, Djokovic will play against Stefanos Tsitsipas, and before their meeting, he recognized the Greek player's qualities.
"Another final against him at one of the biggest tournaments we have in the world. He's definitely in form. The last few years he's been [one of the] top two, three clay-court players. In general, top two, three in the world."
"But especially on the clay court, winning Monte Carlo, always reaching the final stages of the biggest events on clay. I can expect a big battle on the court, but I'm ready for it."
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