After a three hour marathon yesterday and earlier stomach issues, Novak Djokovic still managed to finish on top in Paris for a seventh time cruising past Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-3 today in the final.

“A very challenging week,” Djokovic said after. “I think also off the court, you know, dealing with the stomach virus that really took a lot of energy out of me, but somehow, I managed to find this extra energy when it was most needed, particularly in the days of Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, where I was probably closer to losing these matches than winning.

“So considering what happened in the last six, seven days, this win is definitely one of the most special wins in the Masters 1000 category.”

Dimitrov, who had played so well leading into the match, had zero answers against Djokovic who improves to 12-1 against the Bulgarian.

“Amazing week,” Dimitrov said. “I think today, specifically today, his depth was amazing I think on the ball. Even if he was not feeling maybe physically at his best and all that, but he was able to put me in a very uncomfortable position and made me work for every shot. I also think my serve today didn’t work at all.

“Overall I was a little bit flat. That’s also my, like, summary of the match. But of course Novak in the finals is probably one of the biggest achievement you can have in our sport to beat him.

“I mean, so much respect for him. The way he’s competing on the court is, I think, I mean, on a completely different level. I have said it before. I think also when it comes to those clutch matches, he’s always been able to maximize his game, even if it’s not at his best, but he’s been able to maximize and put you in uncomfortable situations.”

Djokovic finished losing a total of 11 points on serve, never faced a break point.

He broke Dimitrov for 4-3 in the first and 3-2 in the second.

Overall, it’s Djokovic’s 97th career title, 40th at the Masters level and his 399th career win in Masters play. He’s now won his last 18 matches and 31 of his last 32.

“It’s great, but it’s already behind me,” Djokovic said of all the numbers. “I’m very of course proud of the achievement but I’m already turning the next page. This is, fortunately or unfortunately, the way it works for me, and the way I think is the correct, so to say, mentality moving forward. Because while I’m still active, I still want to win more and I still want to play at the highest level. Obviously Grand Slams and Masters events are the most valuable tournaments in our sport.

“So considering, as I said, the circumstances I had in the last seven days, you know, this win has more weight and more value and it’s extra sweeter, so to say, particularly at these stage of my career. I don’t even know in which stages of my career I am anymore, but I think that every win on a big tournament maybe the value is double nowadays.”

The win also all but wraps up a record-extending 8th year-end No. 1 ranking for Djokovic. He’ll be 1,490 ranking points ahead of No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic would have to finish winless while Alcaraz go 5-0 with the title for No. 1 to change hands.

“I’m going for whatever I can go for,” said Djokovic. “I’m very close. I think I need one win to clinch the year No. 1, so that was the biggest goal other than Davis Cup for the end of the year.”