2012

Novak began this season in a convincing manner at Australian Open, where he first prevailed over Andy Murray in a tough semi final match that lasted 4 hours and 50 minutes. Then he won against Rafael Nadal in the finals, in the encounter, which went on for six hours. It was the longest final match in the Grand Slam history (5 hours and 53 minutes).

Novak received the Sportsman of the Year Laureus Award – the most prestigious sports award voted by the Academy consisting of the biggest sport legends of all time.

The Republic of Serbia awarded him the top state honor in the country, “Karadjordjeva Star Medal”, for special merits and success in representing Serbia.

Novak won Miami without losing a set – he beat Murray in the finals. With this success he joined Agassi and Sampras as the only players who won this tournament for three or more times. Furthermore, it was his 30th title in career, and 11th Masters Series title.

In April, Novak was named one of TIME Magazine’s Top 100 most influential people in the world, following a phenomenal year in which he displaced Federer and Nadal at the top of the men’s game.

Clay court season followed, with Nole playing finals in Monte Carlo, Rome and – for the first time in his career – at Roland Garros.

At the end of May, Novak was appointed a global brand Ambassador of one of the world’s most prestigious brands, the Japanese clothing and sports equipment manufacturer UNIQLO.

Nole maintained his standing atop the ATP Rankings for an entire year, putting together the fourth-longest run at no.1 since making his debut at the top position. He was stopped in attempt to defend his Wimbledon title, falling to eventual champion Roger Federer in the semi-finals.

After the third Grand Slam of the season, Nole won the ESPY Best Male Tennis Player award for achievements in the past calendar year.

At the London 2012 Olympics, Novak was a flag bearer for Serbia. In the bronze medal match he lost to Juan Martin Del Potro, finishing 4th.

He successively defended his Rogers Cup title beating Richard Gasquet 6-3, 6-2 to lift the Canadian Masters trophy for the third time, and then finished runner-up in Cincinnati for the fourth time in five years.

Djokovic reached his third consecutive US Open final at Flushing Meadows. He fell to Andy Murray in five sets in the title match.

Two days after the USO, Novak Djokovic Foundation raised $1,400,000 for children at inaugural benefit dinner held in New York.

Novak compiled a perfect 10-0 record clinching back-to-back titles in Asia, and by winning the Shanghai Rolex Masters, he became the first player to win seven of nine current Masters 1000 events. He saved five match points before defeating two-time defending champion Andy Murray, 5-7, 7-6 (11), 6-3 in a blockbuster final.

Nole reclaimed the world no.1 ranking on November 5.

He was awarded two exceptional honours for 2012 season: Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year, which acknowledges outstanding humanitarian contribution, and ATP World Tour No.1 award (determined by South African Airways ATP Rankings).

On November 12, he won the 2012 ATP World Tour Finals by defeating Roger Federer 7-6 (6), 7-5 in a dramatic final of the season-ending event in London.

The Serbian star clinched the year-end no.1 ranking for a second straight year. He is the first player to finish no.1 in back-to-back seasons since Roger Federer from 2004-07 and the ninth player to accomplish the feat since 1973.

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