Tennis: Djokovic crowned ITF World Champion for record seventh time, Tennis News & Top Stories

REUTERS – Novak Djokovic, number one on the world rankings for men, has been named the 2021 ITF world champion for a record seventh time, while women number one Ashleigh Barty has picked up his second crown, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Thursday (16 December).

Djokovic, who finished first in the year for a record seventh time, won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon when he missed the Tokyo Olympics and the US Open final in the pursuit of a rare golden Slam.

The Serb was in a draw with the great American Pete Sampras with six victories for the first time in 1978. Barty, who won his first Wimbledon championship this year and bronze in the mixed doubles Olympics, won the award earlier in 2019.

“After such a rewarding year, it is a great honor for me, my team, my family and our fans to be named ITF World Champion for the seventh time,” Djokovic said.

“I am very grateful and proud of my achievements, and fortunately I had the opportunity to compete on the Serbian national team as well.”

Djokovic will draw with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in 20 Grand Slams and could set a record if he wins next month’s Australian Open – a tournament he has won a record nine times.

Croatian duo Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic were named ITF men’s doubles world champions after winning nine championships this season, while Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova won the women’s doubles award for the second time.

“It’s been an incredible year for us – Wimbledon, the Olympics, nine championships, the number one at the end of the year and now the first Croatian pair to ever be named ITF World Champion,” Pavic said.

“It’s something special and we’re very happy about it.”