TORONTO — Novak Djokovic paused after accepting the Rogers Cup for the fourth time, scanned the stands at York University’s Aviva Centre, then asked everyone in the crowd to hug the person beside them.
A small chuckle circulated the capacity crowd and then Djokovic said he would lead by example, turning to public announcer Ken Crosina and wrapping his arms around the M.C. Fans laughed and followed suit.
"It was a really wonderful moment," Djokovic said with a smile. "I did feel that it was just the right moment for me to ask politely the crowd to do that, because in the end of the day, we are all here for the same thing. We are all here to connect through tennis, through passion for the sport.
"It’s nice that we got to sense and feel that kind of energy around the stadium."
The world No. 1 defeated Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3, 7-5, in the tournament’s final after a short rain delay on Sunday afternoon. Djokovic’s four Rogers Cup titles is still short of Ivan Lendl’s record of six, but he now has a record 30 ATP Masters 1000 titles.
"After Grand Slams, these are the biggest events we have in sport of tennis," said Djokovic, who has won 12 Grand Slams. "Naturally I’m going to be very disciplined, committed, and focused to do well."
Both players relied on their return game throughout the match, with Djokovic earning five aces to Nishikori’s four. Unforced errors also played a huge role, with Nishikori making 28 to Djokovic’s 18.
"I had too many unforced errors especially during important points," said Nishikori. "He was returning really well today, I think. I was hitting some good first serves, but he was making returns in deep."
Nishikori tied the second set 3-3 with a forehand return down the line that stopped Djokovic in his tracks. After the break point Nishikori bent over, clenching his fist in celebration.
That marked a brief shift in momentum, as Nishikori scored five straight points to take a 4-3 lead. Djokovic composed himself in the next game, making the most of having serve to tie it back up at 4-4.
Nishikori dug down for a high volley over the net that Djokovic could have easily returned. Instead, the world No. 1 returned it too deep and out on the next game point for a 5-4 Nishikori lead. Djokovic tied it right back up with an ace down the middle and gave Nishikori the serve back.
Djokovic restrained himself from smashing his racket on the ground after his shot went deep to give Nishikori a 40-30 advantage in the next game, but he earned the point right back on the next play. Nishikori again had the advantage after Djokovic netted another shot.
Nishikori didn’t make the most of that opportunity, with his shot going out of bounds to give Djokovic a 6-5 lead. He had the championship point at deuces but put the ball into the net to give Djokovic advantage.
"During the second set I was playing much better, hitting more aggressive and hitting side to side a little more and start working a little bit," said Nishikori. "But he was hitting great returns and I was missing some easy ones. He was the better player last couple of games."
Nishikori shanked Djokovic’s ensuing serve, giving the Serbian player his seventh title of the ATP season. He will also represent Serbia at the Rio Olympics.
In the first set, Djokovic could only nod in appreciation as one of Nishikori’s rare aces sailed by him on game point to make it 2-2.
Nishikori’s own mental errors cost him several games in the first set. He put several shots into the net then returned the ball high and wide to give Djokovic a 5-2 lead.
Djokovic won the first set on a wild exchange with both players making desperate stabs at the ball that arched high and barely stayed in. Nishikori’s final wild shot went slightly too deep — close enough that Djokovic returned it as the line judge ruled it out.
The crowd — dotted with Serbian flags — roared its appreciation of the performance as Djokovic flexed and shouted.
Earlier, Croatia’s Ivan Dodig and Brazil’s Marcelo Melo topped Britain’s Jamie Murray and Brazil’s Bruno Soares 6-4, 6-4 to win the tournament’s doubles title.
