LONDON – ATP World No. 1 Novak Djokovic will bid to become the first player in history to capture four successive Barclays ATP World Tour Finals singles titles after sealing his qualification for this year’s prestigious season-ending tournament, held from 15-22 November at The O2 in London.
Djokovic became the first player to secure his spot after defeating nine-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal in the Paris quarter-finals on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Serb is looking to become the eighth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam by triumphing at Roland Garros this week.
Djokovic has a 23-9 record at the season finale and has not been beaten in his past three appearances, lifting the trophy as the undefeated champion in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Belgrade native also triumphed on his second tournament appearance in 2008, when the event was staged in Shanghai.
Anticipating his ninth successive appearance at the Final Showdown, Djokovic said, “I had a great start to 2015 so I am really happy to have qualified so early. I hope I will have a great finish to the year too; I love playing at The O2 and have had great results there.”
ATP Executive Chairman and President, Chris Kermode, said, “Novak is having another incredible season on the ATP World Tour and fully deserves his place as the first qualifier for this year’s season finale. He continues to set the benchmark at the top of the game and it will be fascinating to see him going for a historic fourth successive crown at The O2 in London. We look forward to welcoming him back in November.”
Djokovic is currently on a 27-match winning streak heading into the Roland Garros semi-finals, where he will face Andy Murray on Friday.
Since finishing runner-up to Roger Federer at the ATP World Tour 500 event in Dubai in February, the Serb has swept four of the first five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments of the season in Indian Wells (d. Federer), Miami (d. Murray), Monte-Carlo (d. Berdych) and Rome (d. Federer). He did not play in Madrid. Djokovic began the season by claiming his eighth Grand Slam championship at the Australian Open with victory over Murray.
