Sporting Advent Calendar #9: Novak Djokovic rounds off dream year at ATP Tour finals

Three Grand Slams, a record six Masters 1000 titles, 11 tournament wins, 82 victories out of 88 games, an almost unassailable lead at the top of the world rankings and an ATP record $21 million in earnings.

It’s safe to say 2015 was the year of Novak Djokovic.

Since the unparalleled powers of Roger Federer began to wane towards the back end of the last decade men's tennis has been dominated by a big four - Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal and Federer himself.

Granted, in 2010 and 2011 Nadal and Djokovic enjoyed fine years - taking three Grand Slams apiece - but as recently as 2012 all four Slams were shared out equally between the game’s outstanding quartet.

But if the 2015 season proved anything it is that there is no longer a big four, simply a big one.

Djokovic set the tone for the year as he swept to victory in the Australian Open, blitzing Stan Wawrinka 6-0 in the fifth set of their semi-final before a four set win over Andy Murray in the final - the third time he'd beaten the Scot in the Melbourne showpiece.

The Serb’s hopes of a Grand Slam were wrecked by Wawrinka at Roland Garros before Djokovic retained Wimbledon with a four set win over a resurgent Roger Federer.

2015 had proved to be a renaissance year for Federer, with the 34-year-old playing some of his finest tennis in the twilight of his career, but around every corner lurked Djokovic, and the Serb was victorious again in the US Open final.

The season finished with Djokovic setting another record by winning the ATP Tour finals for the fourth consecutive year.

His opponent in the final in London was again, Federer, and the head-to-head between the two men now sits at 22 apiece.

That score is only likely to go one way in the coming years, but it seemed fitting Djokovic would finish what could prove a career-defining season against the greatest man to ever hold a racket.

With 10 Grand Slams to his name already Djokovic now looks certain to eclipse Federer’s tally of 17, and he will be well worthy of the record.