The ATP final starts on Sunday in an unknown setting with several visitors to be absent and two debutants but Novak Djokovic again started a prestigious year as a ruler of a non-moving man game.
After one year where Serbia came very closely by claiming the rare calendar of the Grand Slam, he was sure to finish the year as number one for the seventh record time.
He warmed up for Emanon who was detained in Turin for the first time by winning a record of the sixth Paris title this month, set a new record of 37 master’s degrees in the process.
To add motivation, if he needs it, he can imitate six final title ATP Roger Federer if he wins at Alpitour Pala for the next week.
The offer to match Federer’s transport last year was stopped in the semi-final by Austria Dominic Thiem, who then lost to Daniil Medvedev in the final showpiece in a match that marked the end of a 12-year residence in London’s O2 Arena.
Djokovic, who surprisingly has not won the title since 2015, will start his business to reclaim on Monday at the opening green group against the debut of Norwegian Casper Ruud.
Also in his group was the Greek world number four Stefanos Tsitipas, who beat Djokovic to win this year’s French open, and Russian Andrey Rublev.
Medvedev, who destroyed Djokovic’s Grand Slam dream by defeating him in the final U8.
Open, will open a single action on Sunday against his Poland debut Hubert Hurkacz and will also be tested in the Red Group by Germany Alexander Zverev and Wimbledon Runner-Up Matteo Berettini.
If Djokovic and Medvedev won their respective groups, the pair had the potential to face in their finals in 2021 – with Serbia lead 2-1 after a sensational duel last week in the French capital.
The only Djokovic tournament since the broken heart combines him that Flushing was in Paris and the 34-year-old said he arrived in Turin physically fresher than he usually felt.
“I haven’t played much like in previous years in terms of the number of tournaments but I did have many tiring events in the Grand Slams, especially emotionally and mentally and who took many of me because of potential records, which was why I took a break,” Djokovic said to reporters on Friday.
Djokovic was fired again could be bad news for his rival.
“Playing at the highest level of the top eight of each match is high intensity,” Djokovic said.
“With a semi-full tank, you might not be able to play on the best here that you need to do in every game.” Federer will be lost this year because he continued his recovery from injury as well as Rafa Nadal who was also preparing for the following season after a leg injury.
Croatia is the top ranking Nikola Mektis and the paric couple will be a favorite to win a double title in Turin.