Novak Djokovic qualifies for ATP World Tour Finals 2013

World number one Novak Djokovic will attempt to defend the ATP Masters 1500 ATP World Tour Finals title this coming November after the Serbian became the second player to qualify for the season-ending event. The world’s top eight singles players and top eight doubles teams compete for lucrative cash prizes and additional ranking points in this prestigious event that will take place from November 4 to 11 at The O2 in London.

“[Being defending champion] adds a little bit of extra expectation and pressure,” said Djokovic. “Knowing that I can play that well on the centre stage gives me enough reason to believe that I can do it again. That is something that inspires me to prepare well and perform my best.”

Djokovic now joins world number two Rafael Nadal as the only two players so far to have qualified for the tournament. Both have acquired enough ATP ranking points to be part of the elite 8 for the finale. The Serbian won three titles this season – the Australian Open, the Dubai Tennis Championships and Monte Carlo Masters. He also reached the final of the Wimbledon Championships last month.

Djokovic won the ATP World Tour Finals twice. In 2008, he defeated Nikolay Davydenko in Shanghai and last year, he defeated six-time champion Roger Federer.

“My favorite memory is winning the title in 2012, when I won all five of my matches and I played some of my best tennis,” Djokovic said. “It was the best way to finish the season.”