Novak Djokovic sent a message to the rest of the ATP Tour this week  he is near his best.The top seed defeated second seed Marin Cilic 6-3 6-4 on Sunday to clinch the Tel Aviv Watergen Open trophy. With the victory the Serbian became the first man to win a title on hard clay Rome and grass courts Wimbledon this season.





“My approach is to win tournaments wherever I am and I’m glad that I have a team of people around me that makes sure that I am in the best shape in order to be a contender to win titles Djokovic said. “That’s why I came to Israel, was to try to win the title. First time playing here since a Davis Cup tie more than 15 years ago, so it was a really amazing experience.


Djokovic did not lose a set at the indoor hard-court ATP 250 where he was never in difficulty against a lineup of dangerous opponents. The 35-year-old claimed his third tour-level crown of 2022 and the 89th of his career. “I played some very good tennis, I think. I did not drop a set the entire week,” Djokovic said. “I hadn’t played a tournament in three months so it was really extra motivation for me to really do well, particularly because people have been so friendly and so supportive of me throughout the week. I’m taking some great confidence into next week as well.


Cilic entered the final having faced just four break points all week, but he was under pressure on serve throughout the championship clash. Djokovic found great depth on his returns against the big-serving Croatian, which set the tone.


Djokovic consistently threatened his opponents’s serve with his play from the back of the court, while he dominated his own service games behind his first serve. The Serbian did not face a break point in the first set and when he found himself in trouble at deuce while serving for the set, he responded with back-to-back aces.