Rajeev Ram and Great Britain's Joe Salisbury completed unfinished business on Sunday at the ATP Finals, earning their first title at the prestigious year-end event with a near-perfect performance in Turin.
The second seeds defeated Croatians Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, 7-6(4), 6-4, to finish a 5-0 week at the season finale. Saving the only break point they faced, Ram and Salisbury atoned for a heartbreaking defeat one year ago in the Turin final.
With the victory, the Denver native Ram becomes the 18th American to win the doubles title at the ATP Finals.
“It’s certainly pretty cool," Ram said of the achievement, which puts him in the company of Arthur Ashe, John McEnroe and the Bryan brothers, among others. "There’s been so many great American doubles players and so many great players that have won this. It’s an honor to be on that trophy with them, for sure.”
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
The 38-year-old was also quick to credit Salisbury for his play on Sunday, as the pair won their ninth title as a team.
"My partner played out of this world today, but I guess that’s what you’ve got to do and that’s why he’s one of the best around," Ram said of the Briton. "He saves his best for the biggest moments. I’m so proud of us a team for sure.”
Ram, who rose to world No. 1 for the first time in October, will finish the season at No. 3 in the rankings. Ram and Salisbury won four titles together this season, highlighted by their triumps at the US Open and in Turin. They were also victorious at the ATP Masters 1000s in Cincinnati and Monte Carlo.
The American-British duo has won nine titles as a pair since 2019, including three majors. Individually, Ram has won 26 career doubles titles—all since 2009—having turned pro in 2004 after winning the NCAA doubles title and NCAA team title with the University of Illinois in 2003.
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