Novak Djokovic named ‘Champion of Champions’ 2023 by L’Équipe © Getty Images/Clive Brunskill
Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner, was named “Champion of Champions” for the 2023 sporting year by French sports newspaper L’Équipe. This is recognition for his exceptional achievements in tennis.
A year of records for Djokovic
Djokovic, who won a total of seven titles this year, enjoyed an impressive season in which he won three Grand Slam tournaments – the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open.
He surpassed Rafael Nadal, who has won 22 Grand Slam titles, and Roger Federer with 20 titles. Djokovic ends the year as No. 1 in the ATP rankings, a record he achieved for the eighth time. He is also the first player – both men’s and women’s – to spend a total of 400 weeks as world number one.
2023 marked the fourth year of Djokovic’s career in which he won three Grand Slams in a calendar year. It is also the third time after 2016 and 2021 that he reached the final of all four majors, finishing runner-up to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
When asked if this was his best season, Djokovic replied: “One of the best years. I wouldn’t say the best, but one of the best. The fact that I won three out of four Slams and played the final of the fourth and it’s still not the best year of my life is a nice situation.
It’s definitely one of the best seasons. I had a few years where I won three out of four Slams in a season…I won more games in those years. I played more tournaments. I really felt very dominant on the tour.”
Recognition by L’Équipe
Djokovic is one of only four male tennis players honored by L’Équipe, alongside Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Agassi received the award in 1999, while Federer won it in 2005, 2006, 2007 and, together with Nadal, in 2017. Nadal was named “Champion of Champions” in 2010, 2013 and 2019. On the women’s side, Serena Williams has received the award three times, while Iga Swiatek was named “Champion of Champions” in 2022.
2023-12-29 20:01:55
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