Novak Djokovic: Why world No 1 is better than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal - Rusedski
NOVAK DJOKOVIC showed why he is the world No 1 with his victory over Alexander Zverev at the ATP Finals.
That is the view of former British No 1 and Sky Sports tennis pundit Greg Rusedski.
Djokovic beat Zverev 6-4, 6-1 at London’s O2 Arena in the season’s final event.
Djokovic has now won both of his group games in the competition after defeating John Isner in straight sets on Monday.
The Serbian is ahead of both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the Men’s ATP rankings.
This is why he’s No 1 because of that flexibility of thought and all the things he can use at his disposal
And Rusedski says today’s win was a perfect example of why Novak Djokovic currently sits top of the pile.
“In the first set I think he was pushed because Zverev served out of a tree,” Rusedski said.
“He was hitting all the corners, he was hitting aces, he was allowed to play on the front foot.
“And Djokovic always finds a way. He didn’t hit a lot of winners in that first set but he was making the play, moving Sascha from side to side, putting up that wall and then transitioning whenever possible.
“It just shows you he’s able to change his game when he has to.
“Against Isner he stood in, against Zverev he stood back and then he mixed it up coming forward.
“It just shows you his thought process on the court.
“This is why he’s No 1 because of that flexibility of thought and all the things he can use at his disposal, with the return, with the movement, with the transition. He is the best.
“He was disappointed with his serve, he didn’t serve that badly today.
“But for his standards he is always expecting perfection and looking for that.
“He will be delighted, 2-0 in his group, the closest anyone has got in a set is 6-4 and he played the big points well again.”
Djokovic’s final group game of the ATP Finals is against Marin Cilic on Friday.
He could face Roger Federer in the knockout stages later this week.
Federer faces Kevin Anderson in his final group game on Thursday.