Novak Djokovic has finally claimed the 90th title of his career which would also count as the fourth of 2022 with a series of dominant straight-sets victory over ar Stefanos Tsitsipas in the ATP final in Astana on Sunday.
The 35-year-old Djokovic had seamlessly triumphed 6-3, 6-4 in 75 minutes to also add to the trophies he had won this season in Israel, Rome and at Wimbledon and it was the ninth consecutive match victory for the fourth seed, who had guaranteed himself a spot at the 2022 ATP Finals as a result of the win.
The Serb had also won in Tel Aviv a week ago, his first singles tournament since wrapping up a seventh Wimbledon crown and 21st Grand Slam title in July.
He had been banned from the United States Open and the entire North American hard court swing over his refusal to be vaccinated before returning for Roger Federer’s farewell in the Laver Cup team event which had been held in London last month.
For third-seeded Tsitsipas, it was the ninth time he played in an ATP Tour final and the ninth time he has finished runner-up.
In another report, Argentina captain Lionel Messi said Thursday that the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will ‘surely’ be the last of his career.
‘It’s my last World Cup, surely. I feel good physically, I was able to do a very good pre-season this year, which I couldn’t do last year. It was essential to get to where I am, with a good state of mind and a lot of hope,’ the 35-year-old told ESPN Argentina.
Messi, who is due to appear in his fifth World Cup, made his international debut in 2005 and has since won 164 caps for Argentina and is the country’s all-time record scorer with 90 goals.
In the interview which was monitored by Africa Daily News, New York, which took place in Paris where Messi plays for Paris Saint-Germain, he admitted he was nervous about the impending tournament in Qatar.
