Former world number one Novak Djokovic defeated Casper Rudd to win a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals title.
The 35-year-old Serbian overcame his Norwegian rival 7-5 6-3 in Turin on Sunday.
Djokovic’s victory in the season-ending event capped a year in which he was forced to miss two majors due to his reluctance to take a Covid-19 vaccination.
He last won an ATP Finals title in 2015 and matched Roger Federer’s mark.
Djokovic took home the biggest pay check in tennis for going unbeaten at the tournament, worth $4,740,300 (£3.985m).
After sealing victory with one of nine aces in the match, he said the seven-year wait for the title made the victory “even sweeter”.
“It feels very satisfying and at the same time, a huge relief because I’ve been going through the conditions this year, the conditions at the beginning of the year, obviously with Australia,” Djokovic added. added.
“It obviously had an impact on my start of the year. For the first several months, I was trying to find a balance both game-wise but also mentally to get back on the court and find that level of tennis. I can do what I need
“I don’t know what the future holds but I know what I have in mind is a huge hunger to win trophies.”
The 23-year-old Ruud made two unforced errors to give the 21-time major winner a break in the first set.
After winning the opener, Djokovic then took control and broke his opponent’s serve in the fourth game of the second set.
Rudd continued to battle and forced the veteran into a 36-shot closing rally, but Djokovic was too strong and closed out the match with a powerful ace.
It marked another final defeat for the Norwegian, who was runner-up at both the French Open and the US Open.
But Rudd said: “All in all, if you offered me to finish the year third, play the finals I’ve played, on January 1 this year, I’d probably do it straight away. no doubt. “
It was also a successful day for Great Britain as Joe Salisbury won the men’s doubles event with American partner Rajeev Ram.
The US Open men’s doubles champion beat Croatian duo Nikola Maktic and Matt Pavic 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
