There came an ace, struck right down the T in the ad court. This was championship point at the Nitto ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic winning that prestigious event for a record-tying sixth time. (For highlights, watch the video above.) Call Djokovic’s final untouchable serve a fitting punctuation mark on a year like none he had ever faced.
Years from now, when the ebb and flow of Djokovic’s career is assessed, what came of him in 2022 might well be looked on less for its frustrations and more as a blessing. Perhaps it was a career-extender, Djokovic absent from competition for three significant hard-court stretches. This year also provided further evidence of three words that describe what make him one of tennis’ all-time greats: Devotion. Discipline. Precision.
Is it best to evaluate Djokovic’s 2022 by examining where he played, or where he didn’t? Briefly consider what Djokovic missed as the result of his choice not to be vaccinated againt the coronavirus: In January, amid a flurry of tennis and governmental action that could one day make for a remarkable book, documentary, Netflix series and political science dissertation, Djokovic was denied entry to Australia and the chance to pursue a tenth Australian Open title. Said Djokovic later in the year, “Everything that has followed Australia, particularly on the tournaments, has been a huge challenge and obstacle for me to overcome emotionally.”
In March, he was barred entry to the United States and hence unable to play the Indian Wells and Miami Masters 1000s. In August, again no tennis in North America—no Montreal, Cincinnati, US Open.
But when Djokovic did take the court, he was frequently brilliant as ever. Spring saw a title run in Rome, including wins over three men who’d join him at this year’s ATP Finals: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas. There were also victories in the fall at tournaments in Tel Aviv and Astana. By year’s end, Djokovic had earned his 91st career singles title; only Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer, Ivan Lendl and Rafael Nadal have won more.