A starry affair as Novak Djokovic wins year-ender beating Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic dedicated his ATP Tour Finals title to his sick father after the world number one produced one of his greatest performances to defeat Roger Federer 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 in the final. (All AFP Photos and text)

Roger Federer insists his dramatic defeat against Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP Tour Finals was exactly the kind of epic showdown that stops him thinking about retiring.

Djokovic needed treatment after cutting his elbow while diving in vain to reach a Federer shot but recovered in time.
The Serb won the Australian Open in January and reached the finals of the French and US Opens before ending the season in style with an epic victory over Federer to shatter the Swiss star's two-year reign as Tour Finals champion.

Pippa Middleton(R), sister of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, leaves the court after watching the singles final between Switzerland's Roger Federer and Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

Italian football player Francesco Totti in attendance during the final. He himself has entertained all and sundry with his foot skills but with Djokovic and Federer around, he was the one getting some dose of the same.

Djokovic underlined why he will finish as the world's top ranked player for the second successive year as the Serb withstood an early barrage from Federer in both sets before overwhelming the six-time Tour Finals winner in an epic encounter lasting two hours and 14 minutes at London's O2 Arena.

"It's always a privilege and a challenge to play Roger," Djokovic said. "I want to thank my team, I couldn't have done it without you. I love you!"

"Congratulations to Novak on an amazing tournament and an amazing year, You are the best. It has been an amazing year for me too," Federer said.