Novak Djokovic has qualified for the season finale on 14 occasions (2017-2016, 2018-2021). He beat Nikolay Davydenko for the 2008 title in Shanghai, and clinched four consecutive crowns at The O2 in London between 2012-2015. Djokovic, who did not qualify in 2017 after suffering a right elbow injury, has compiled a 38-16 record at the prestigious tournament.

The 34-year-old is on course to finish 2021 as year-end No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for a record-breaking seventh time — eclipsing Pete Sampras (1993-1998) — after a historic season, which includes winning the first three major championships of the year, in addition to the Belgrade Open title in May. On 8 March, Djokovic moved past Federer for a record-breaking 311 weeks at World No. 1.

Djokovic won 27 of 28 matches at major championships this season, losing to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final. The Serbian is the fifth man in the sport’s history to win the first three majors of the year, following in the footsteps of Jack Crawford (1933), Don Budge (1938), Lew Hoad (1956) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969). Budge and Laver (twice) went on to complete the Grand Slam.