Novak Djokovic was hailed
as "one of the greats of all time" by John McEnroe as he again
claimed the year-end world number one spot with a victory at the ATP Tour
finals on Friday.
AFP reports fellow seven-time grand
slam winner McEnroe paid his tribute before Djokovic demolished Tomas Berdych
6-2 6-2 at the O2 Arena, not just roaring into Saturday's semi-finals but also
sealing the world's top spot for the third time in four seasons.
The achievement
represents a period of consistent excellence not matched since Roger Federer
was honoured five times in six seasons between 2004 and 2009.
Djokovic becomes only the
seventh player in the game's history to have achieved the milestone three times,
following Pete Sampras (6), Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer (5), Ivan Lendl and
McEnroe (4) and Rafael Nadal (3).
It left McEnroe, one of a
distinguished group of former number ones attending the on-court ceremony
celebrating the Serb's achievement, to note the magnificence of Djokovic's game
and to conclude he could improve and reign for seasons to come.
Reminded of his own
experience of breaking into the duopoly of Connors and Bjorn Borg in the late
1970s, McEnroe reckoned Djokovic had "done an incredible job" by now
being mentioned in the same breath as Federer and Nadal.
ROCK SOLID
"That shows me that
he has become one of the greats of all time. He is going to be there a couple
more years. He looks so rock solid, it's incredible," said McEnroe.
"If Rafa is not
healthy, that might open the door for him to win the French Open (the one grand
slam to elude Djokovic). I would say the greatest players that ever lived are
Roger (Federer) , Rafa (Nadal), my idol Rod Laver and Pete Sampras.
"I wouldn't put him there
yet but in the top 10 and maybe he is moving higher as each minute goes (by).
The good news (is that) he is getting better and by the time I was his age I
was getting worse!"
After what seemed an
almost routine demolition of Berdych, the 27-year-old Djokovic thrust his arms
towards the Dome roof and appeared quite emotional about his achievement.
"I got married,
became a father recently and it's the most beautiful thing in the world,"
he told the crowd.
"To be able to stand
next to this trophy and to have the crown for all the achievements in this 12
months, it's very fulfilling and it's a joy."
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