Tennis News: Novak Djokovic aims to break Roger Federer's record of six Nitto ATP Finals titles

"[It would be] a perfect ending [to the season]," Djokovic shared on Friday. "The cherry on the cake, for sure, but it's a long way. It's a long week."

The former number one is thrilled at the prospect of competing against seven of the ATP Tour's best players in Turin as he attempts to equal Roger Federer's record of six Nitto ATP Finals crowns.

"You have to play more or less everyone in this tournament at least once, so I look forward to it," Djokovic remarked. He believes that his previous experience playing the tournament many times would work in his favour. 

The ATP Finals will stop the ongoing season of the ATP Tour, both on and off-court. Every player will play at least three matches in Turin as a part of the round-robin format at the Pala Alpitour.

What is in store for Novak Djokovic in the ATP Finals 2022?

Djokovic will start his campaign against Stefanos Tsitsipas. It will mark their third encounter within five weeks. Although Djokovic has won the last two clashes, the seventh seed is aware of the size of the challenge. 

"I played him in the past two tournaments I played, in the final in Astana and the semi-finals in Paris," remarked Djokovic. "Both matches were quite close, particularly the one in Paris. I know that I am expecting a tough match without a doubt."

Djokovic will enter with a 37-7 tour-level record in 2022 and pursue his first Nitto ATP Finals title since 2015. He is aware of his physical limitations due to age and the time since he first participated in the tournament. However, the 34-year-old believes he is in good shape, especially in the last four to five months. He grabbed his seventh Wimbledon title and won most tournaments he participated in before the upcoming Finals.

His only drawback this year was his decision to stay unvaccinated from Covid-19, which exempted his entry from various countries, including Australia and the United States. 

Governments in big countries don't care if you're a big tennis player, states tennis writer Bodo

As expected, Djokovic will face a few more tough weeks ahead of the 2023 Australian Open, where he may or may not be allowed to compete. Currently, the Serbian tennis player is banned from the country until January 2025 as an aftermath of deportation. 

Although current rules allow unvaccinated foreigners to enter the country, leading tennis writer Pete Bodo suggests that the Serb will not receive a special exemption.

According to him, most governments do not provide special attention to tennis players when matters related to visa bans are concerned. The Serb can only hope for a drastic rule change before the Grand Slam kicks off. 

"Governments in big countries don't care if you're a big tennis player, as we've seen in other instances as well," Bodo added. As far as Djokovic is concerned, despite the setbacks he has endured, the Serb admitted that he is motivated and is awaiting a challenge.