• ATP World Tour Finals

Djokovic steeled for run at career Grand Slam

Novak Djokovic lifted the World Tour Finals trophy - but only after Roger Federer pulled out injured © Getty Images

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It was meant to be the moment Novak Djokovic underlined his superiority, putting away a resurgent Roger Federer to crown a year in which he reclaimed his throne at the top of the tennis world.

Instead, Djokovic's competitive season was left without a full-stop - ending with a mysterious 'dot' on a camera lens after his semi-final win against Kei Nishikori in London.

After Federer pulled out of Sunday's World Tour Finals finale with a back injury, Djokovic was awarded the title in London by default.

The long goodbye

Roger Federer announces his withdrawal from Sunday's final due to injury © Getty Images

• The third age of Roger Federer came to an end in London on Sunday and the fourth age began but, asks Simon Barnes, how will he finally bow out?
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That is not how Djokovic likes to do things; he looked almost embarrassed lifting the trophy. "It's clearly not the way I wanted to do it. I feel very sorry for Roger," he said on court after Federer's withdrawal.

It obviously grated with him. Having fended off Federer's late bid to claim the year-end No.1 spot, Djokovic wanted to cap it off in style.

Instead, he had to play an exhibition match against emergency replacement Andy Murray - who rode to the rescue at the O2 Arena after getting a call while he was playing Mario Kart on his sofa.

Djokovic hadn't been playing video games on Sunday afternoon. He had gone through his usual pre-match routine, preparing to prove - if proof was needed - that he was the best tennis player on the planet.

Despite the casual nature of the hastily-arranged pro-set match, Djokovic was in no mood for fun and games, remonstrating with himself on court after every mistake.

Indeed, losing to Murray in such an encounter would have rankled after what has been a tremendous year, and he duly secured an 8-5 victory.

The frustration at not being able to showcase his genius one final time in 2014 was evident, though, with Djokovic admitting it was an "awkward end" to the season.

"Right now I'm at my pinnacle in the career," Djokovic said in his final press conference in London. "I physically feel very fit. I'm very motivated to keep on playing on a very high level.

"So as long as it's like that, I'm going to try to use these years in front of me to fight for No.1 of the world and to fight for the biggest titles in the sport."

Djokovic won back-to-back tournaments after becoming a father in October © Getty Images

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A victory over Federer - who has more World Tour Finals titles than anybody with six triumphs - would have steeled Djokovic for a run at an eighth major title in Melbourne and the coveted career Grand Slam at the French Open.

For it is Roland Garros, where Nadal came from a set down to beat him this year and earn the Spaniard his ninth tournament-dominating title, that so obsesses Djokovic.

It was a defeat he admitted left him devastated - the fifth grand slam final he had lost in his last six - and one that ultimately spurred him on to win his seventh major at Wimbledon.

"Roland Garros is and was and still will be one of the biggest goals that I have," added Djokovic,who reclaimed the No.1 spot for the first time since September 30, 2013 at SW19. "I'll keep on trying.

"Any grand slam win is another page in the history books of this sport. Of course, being No.1 is also one of the biggest challenges and biggest goals a player can have."

Djokovic has never had a better chance to do it. Right now, Nadal is vulnerable and recovering from injury. There must be doubts about him hitting the ground running at Melbourne.

Nadal missed the Tour Finals having undergone surgery on his appendix and questions had already been raised about his fitness after he pulled out of the US Open, where he was defending champion, with a wrist injury.

A French Open crown is the only grand slam title to have eluded Djokovic © Getty Images

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For Djokovic, it may have been a case of 'after the Lord Mayor's show' by the end, but that shouldn't take away from what he has achieved in 2014.

On his way to the final in London, Djokovic completely obliterated almost everyone in his path, dropping just one set to Kei Nishikori, and distanced himself again, along with Federer, from the chasing pack.

Djokovic has been relentless in the second half of 2014. He has secured the year-end No.1 spot for the third time in four years and become the first player to win the World Tour Finals three times in a row since Ivan Lendl did between 1985 and 1987 - the year of Djokovic's birth. Djokovic also became only the fifth player to win the event four or more times and the seventh player in the history of the ATP rankings (founded in 1973) to finish three separate seasons at the summit.

In total, Djokovic won 62 matches in 2014 - the eighth year in a row he has won more than 60. He also led the ATP Tour in wins against the top 10, improving his record to 20-5 this week, and has won the most Tour titles this year (six), including four Masters 1000s, in Indian Wells, Miami, Rome and Paris.

Impressive statistics indeed and, even after taking time off to be with his wife after she gave birth to their son Stefan in October, he returned to win successive tournaments.

For now, Djokovic gets the chance to be more hands-on in his domestic duties. "My wife told me what's expected of me," he said. "I've seen it before I came to Paris and London. I'm glad during the stay in London for these 10 days I got a lot of sleep, because that will not be the case from now.

"I'm looking forward to it. It's the most beautiful feeling that I experience and my wife has experienced as well, holding a baby in your arms. There will be a lot of that without the racket in the next couple of weeks for me."

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