ATP Finals 2023: ‘I used last year as fuel’ – Novak Djokovic ‘thrilled’ with season after Carlos Alcaraz win

The Serbian, who beat the Spanish world No. 2 6-3 6-2 in the last four on Saturday, was in reflective mood after his victory that saw him set up a rematch with Sinner after losing to the Italian in the group stages.

In 2023, Djokovic won the Australian, French, and US Opens, and was only pipped to the post at Wimbledon by Alcaraz, as the 36-year-old also ended the year with the world No. 1 ranking.

Last year, Djokovic had been unable to compete in Melbourne and at Flushing Meadows as he was not vaccinated against Covid-19.

“I guess last year’s circumstances I used as a fuel for this year,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference.

“I had an almost perfect season [in 2023]; Grand Slam season. That mattered the most to me. Ended up the year as No. 1 in the world, reached all the objectives that I had, broke many records, made history of the sport.

“Of course, I’m thrilled with the season. But one more match to go. Hopefully I can crown the season with another win.”

On his victory over the 20-year-old Alcaraz, the eight-time World Tour Finals champion said: “[It was] one of the best matches of the year in these circumstances playing probably the biggest rival I had this year, Carlos.

“We had some epic matches. Actually, all three matches we played this year were marathon matches that went the distance.

“I think everyone expected, including probably both of us, that we were going to have a long night, a big fight, a long match.

“I just managed to I guess step it up. When I broke his serve at 4-3 in the first set, played a really flawless match until the end of the match. I played great tennis, [a] high level, put a lot of pressure on his service games, made him play. I served really well when I needed to. Best match of the week, one of the best matches of the year.

“[It] couldn’t be coming at a better time for me, considering that I maybe wasn’t playing my best tennis in the first three group stages, matches of the group stages.”

When watching Alcaraz, some tennis fans might point out similarities between the starlet and his Spanish compatriot Rafael Nadal, be it in their playing style, or achievements at a young age.

But when asked whether he saw an element of Nadal within Alcaraz, Djokovic replied: “No, I don’t. They are different players.

“In terms of the great occasion and the feeling of the intensity on the court that he brings, yeah, there is some similarity.

“But he’s a completely different player from Rafa. He’s one of the most complete players that I ever faced in my career.

“It’s quite impressive for his age that he’s able to play consistently well for now several years already, and he’s the youngest-ever No. 1 in the world that we had.

“A brilliant career already, and I think it’s quite obvious that he’s going to have a brilliant career full of success in the years to come.

“He’s still very, very young. But, yeah, he does bring the best out of me. He makes me prepare for the match as best that I possibly can.

“That’s where I probably would compare it to the preparations that I had in the matches against Nadal or [Roger] Federer, where I had to come out every single time at the peak of my abilities in order to win against them.”