WATCH: Four year-old Djokovic receives first ever tennis lesson

Tuesday, 22 November 2022 at 17:00

Updated at Tuesday, 22 November 2022 at 15:26

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byJamie Malachy

A video of Novak Djokovic at four years old has surfaced on social media, sending his fans into adoring raptures.

The Serb won a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title last week, drawing level with Roger Federer, by beating Norwegian World No. 3 Casper Ruud in the final.

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Djokovic has endured a torrid season which started with deportation from Australia following his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. He was also barred from entering any North American tournaments for the same reason.

His triumph at Wimbledon also came without any points following the ATP's decision to punish Wimbledon for banning Russian and Belarusian players from the tournament.

But the indomitable Serb has finished his season with on a remarkably positive note, winning 18 of his last 19 matches and clinching three titles as part of that run.

Djokovic began playing tennis at the age of four and swiftly rose through the junior ranks. Despite the challenges of growing up in a war-torn Serbia in the 1990s, he eventually rose to the top of Europe's 14-and-under rankings, then 16-and-under, before going professional in 2003. At the age of 18, Djokovic rose to the top 100 of the ATP rankings and in July 2006, he achieved his first ATP victory.

Djokovic became the oldest champion at the prestigious year-end tournament, with the largest gap between titles in the history of the game. He also earned the largest pay check in tennis history as he walked away with $4.7 million for claiming the ATP Finals trophy undefeated.

The 2023 season looks much brighter for Novak Djokovic than much of his 2022 did. With form, fitness and the freedom to play in Australia again all on side, there should be little doubt that the Wimbledon champion will, yet again, be the player to beat next year.