In a recent conclusion to the Nitto ATP Finals, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner gathered together to pose with their respective trophies and the placement of the winner and runner-up in the lineup had fans raging with ire regarding its significance.
Olympic medalists are positioned as follows: third place on the left, on a lower podium; second place on the right, on a slightly higher podium; and first place in the center, on the highest level. In other individual sports, golf athletes gather together for a trophy ceremony at the end of the tournament, where the winner is given a grand finish to his achievements.
ATP finals photo session ignites fan outcry against Djokovic-Sinner placement
The Nitto ATP Finals is one of the major tennis tournaments of the calendar year, with the winner earning a whopping amount in cash prizes along with 1500 ATP points. This year, the tournament witnessed upsets, failures by superstars and revenge obtained during important matches, all of which ended up providing viewers with blockbuster entertainment.
After the final match concluded, and the winner and runner-up delivered their speeches, both players gathered for a photo shoot. However, as seen in the picture below, Novak Djokovic was positioned on the far left with the winner’s trophy, while the runner-up and home favorite, Jannik Sinner, stood in the center with the second-placed troph
The abject disregard for tradition and acknowledgement of Djokovic’s achievements led to fans taking to social media to vent their ire. One fan noted that a viewer wouldn’t recognize that Djokovic is the winner and instead assume Sinner has won the title. “Nobody puts babies in the corner,” she proclaimed.
Novak Djokovic won his record seventh Nitto ATP Finals title, taking him two further than Roger Federer. He also added a prestigious record to his tally of numerous accolades this year by securing a final win over Sinner.
Novak Djokovic becomes second male player to register over 55 wins in a calendar year
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic became only the second player in history to bag 55+ wins in a calendar year among those aged 35 or more since Australian Ken Rosewall achieved the feat twice in 1970 and 1973.
The 2023 season has been a highlight for Djokovic, with records such as most ATP Masters titles (40), most ATP Finals wins (7), and most Grand Slams (24) broken by the Serb. Three grand slam wins and a final appearance in the fourth, along with three major ATP titles, have seen him record a stupendous year, on par with his great 2010 calendar year.
He also obtained a record-extending 400 weeks as the world no. 1 and finished the year at the top of the ATP rankings for a record eighth time.
With the win in Turin at the ATP Finals, Novak also cemented his legacy as a frontrunner for the title of GOAT in tennis. Several commentators and players have already called him so.
What are your opinions on Novak Djokovic’s snub by Italian officials at the Nitto ATP Finals photo shoot? Let us know in the comments section below.
