Djokovic: It was the flawless season

There were slips of the tongue, humble brags, moments of seriousness, and plenty of sarcasm.

How do you beat Novak Djokovic?

The score line may suggest it was an easy win for Djokovic.

Federer said: “It is never fun on the not winning side, but it is better than not playing at all like past year”. That’s all we can do.

He was quoted as saying by several national newspapers: “I was going to go, but I am not going any more. So that’s what I’ll do”. He saved one and then, to the astonishment of all, Federer handed his rival the title with a double fault, his second of the match. Wawrinka is an exception as he over-achieved in just winning one major. I play better in little bit faster surfaces; not slow. “When he’s on, it’s hard to play him”, said the world number one. The final win over Federer came only four days after a 7-5, 6-2 loss to him in the group stages, a loss that hundreds saw as a sign of the Serb’s supposed failure to retain his ATP crown.

But while the career head-to-head may be levelled, the head-to-head in finals still stands heavily in Djokovic’s favour.

Federer couldn’t escape Djokovic forever. It’s not like he played bad. I am going to go on holiday and enjoy this season. I sat on that chair when I walked out against Tomas. “Those are the two regrets I have”, he said.

The takeaway: Djokovic was able to muster what he most needed when it most mattered. “To me a towel is to take a shower with”. “I know I have to be on top in order to win against him”.

Djokovic is “almost unbeatable” at the moment, according to Nadal. Tried my best this week. It’s just handsome tennis.

“This is a sport I love truly with all my heart”. Of course, I care about it.

Right out of the gate in today’s match, Federer was in trouble. “It allows me to have the longevity”.

“It will be a ideal ending only if I win. Rafa is basically looking pretty good”. With the crowd rallying behind fan favorite Federer and Novak starting to look frustrated, it appeared this could be a turning point in the match. “Go back. I’m 100 percent sure I didn’t say that and I didn’t say anything that can be taken out of the context, anything similar to that”. He likes things to happen fast.

“That doesn’t mean that we’re going anywhere”. It was a fantastic year all round.

The Great Britain team were preparing to travel to Belgium on Monday ahead of the Davis Cup final despite the terror threat in Brussels remaining at its highest level.

Tennis World brings to you this year’s best matches’ podium of the ATP Finals!

Novak Djokovic became first player in tennis history to earn $20 million in single season. “See you next year”.

Djokovic played the big points and the big matches better than anyone this season, hitting incredible angles from awkward defensive positions. “It was just a tough day for me”. “I’m not completely there”.

Both knew what was at stake.

Djokovic’s coach Boris Becker admitted he thought the Serb had finally run out of energy heading into the tournament and he was impressed by the champions powers of recovery.

Still, a year ago, Federer was forced to throw in the towel to Djokovic before he even stepped on court for the final. I’ve been trying to really pay as equal attention to the work and the recovery as well, mental and physical.