He also retained his ATP World Tour Finals crown last month, reached the Davis Cup final, and won seven titles during the year.

"It is an honour to be named ITF World Champion for the third year running," he said.

"I've had a great 2013 season, and managed to end the year on a high.

"This will definitely serve as a good platform for 2014."

Djokovic triumphed over Nadal in the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena in London ©Getty Images



Nadal missed out on the honour despite winning 10 titles, including the French and US Open, on an explosive return to the game following a long-term knee injury.

The world number one may feel hard done by considering the remarkable results he has achieved since his comeback in February.

According to the ITF, its world champion awards are based on "an objective system that considers all results during the year, but gives special weight to the Grand Slam tournaments, the Davis Cup and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas."

This sentiment was reiterated by ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.

"Rafael Nadal made a remarkable comeback from injury with two Grand Slam wins, but it is Novak Djokovic's consistent results across all four Slams, Davis Cup and the ATP World Tour Finals that see him named world champion," he said.

Serena Williams receives the honour of women's World Champion for 2013 following a season that has seen her win a career-best 11 titles ©Getty Images



America's Serena Williams is named the women's world champion for the fourth time and the second year in a row.

The 32-year-old was almost invincible in 2013, winning 78 of 82 singles matches played, and a career-best 11 titles.

She captured two Grand Slam titles, at Roland Garros and the US Open, to stand at 17 career majors, and went on to win the year-end WTA Championships.

Americans Bob and Mike Bryan are named men's doubles world champions for the tenth time in 11 years, while Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy become women's doubles world champions for the second successive year.

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