Tennis News: The International Tennis Federation (ITF) announced on Thursday that men’s world number one Novak Djokovic has been named the 2021 ITF world champion for a record seventh time, while women’s world number one Ash Barty has won her second title.
Djokovic, who concluded the year as the world’s number one for a record seventh time, won the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon, but fell short of a rare golden slam at the Tokyo Olympics and the US Open final.
With six victories, the Serb was tied with American great Pete Sampras for the championship, which was first presented in 1978. Barty previously won the award in 2019 after winning her maiden Wimbledon title and a bronze medal in mixed doubles at the Olympics.
“It is a wonderful pleasure to be named the ITF World Champion for the eighth time after such a fruitful year for me, my staff, family, and fans,” Djokovic said.
“I am grateful and proud of the accomplishments I’ve achieved, and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to participate for the Serbian national team as well.”
Djokovic is tied for 20 Grand Slams with Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, and he might break the record if he wins the Australian Open next month, which he has won a record nine times.
After winning nine championships this season, Croatian team Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic were named ITF men’s doubles world champions, while Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova won the women’s doubles trophy for the second time.
“It has been an incredible year for us – Wimbledon, Olympics, nine titles, year-end number one and now first Croatian pair ever to be named ITF World Champions,” Pavic said.
“It’s something special and we’re very happy about it.”
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