Huge Djokovic season hard to top: Federer

It is the fourth time in a row that Djokovic has taken out the World Tour Finals, and the fifth time in his illustrious career.

The result also means Scot Andy Murray is guaranteed to finish the year ahead of Federer at world number two for the first time. No Indian has ever won the elite tournament where only the season’s top eight players/pairs get to play the year-ending event.

The Bryans admitted they hung their heads in the locker room, but the 37-year-old California twins said aren’t going anywhere.

He will now take a break before beginning preparations for a crack at his 11th grand slam title as he defends his Australian Open crown in January. That pattern would hold true again in this encounter.

Perhaps two other factors would play their part too.

Federer, 34, had been quick to play down the significance of his group-stage win and Djokovic did indeed prove a very different opponent in the final, just as he had at Wimbledon and the US Open. “You’re here to watch Roger and Novak”.

Djokovic defeated Roger Federer, 6-3, 6-4, to claim the trophy.

“I don’t feel unbeatable, but it does definitely feel great when I’m playing the way I played”, Djokovic said after his dazzling display against Nadal. He tried to find his way to net, but was burned by a couple of Novak’s low dipping passes.

“Well done to Roger for making it such a difficult match – I’m sure we will have plenty of hard matches next season”. He chose the net, but still found himself down a break. Federer was getting frustrated, he was desperately trying to shorten the points.

Djokovic, on if he has any idea how someone could beat him: “If I had, I wouldn’t share it with you”. With Federer serving from behind, the Swiss was under constant scoreboard pressure.

The second set was closer although there was always a feeling that Federer was struggling.

Federer, on if he will work on his game specifically to beat Djokovic: “Not really”. In the often overlooked area of second serves, Djokovic was dazzling. He would continuously engage in the backhand to backhand rallies, where he has a clear advantage.

As well as a cheque for £1.4million, Djokovic has also got level with Federer at 22-22 in career meetings.

Federer showed a few magic in the second, thrilling the crowd by remarkably recovering from a 0-40 service game, but overall pointed to his serve as an issue. However, Djokovic had other ideas.

Federer, on being told of Djokovic’s comment: “He handed the win?”

Right out of the gate in today’s match, Federer was in trouble.

Calling Novak Djokovic an absolute beast when it comes to major finals would be more accurate.

Murray could have been forgiven for turning his thoughts to the final in Ghent when he dropped the opening set and was broken twice in the second set.

It’s never fun to end a match on a double fault, but perhaps it’s appropriate for this match.

Djokovic’s consistency throughout 2015 was astonishing and the way in which he dominated all phases of the game – including the most crucial battleground of all in sports, that of players’ psyches – was incredible considering the increasingly physical nature of the sport.