Abu Dhabi - World No 1 Novak Djokovic won a fourth Mubadala World Tennis Championship title on Saturday, coming back from a set down to beat Kevin Anderson 4-6, 7-5, 7-5.
Djokovic claimed victory on a fifth match point against his South African opponent who won the pre-season exhibition tournament in 2018.
The 31-year-old Djokovic previously claimed the three-day event in the UAE in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and has now matched Rafael Nadal's record of four titles.
"I'm a bit tired. We weren't expecting to play two hours and 30 minutes just before the start of the season," said Djokovic who is building towards an assault on a possible seventh Australian Open title next month.
Wimbledon and US Open champion Djokovic now heads to neighbouring Doha where he will be top seed at the Qatar Open starting on Monday. He will take on Bosnia's Damir Dzumhur in his tournament opener.
World No 6 Anderson is top seed for the Maharashtra Open in Pune, India.
Novak Djokovic has beaten Kevin Anderson in a high quality final at the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi. The score 4-6 7-5 7-5, in favour of the world's number one ranked men's player. pic.twitter.com/VlpRPFmJZa
— Tennis South Africa (@TennisSA) December 29, 2018
Thank you Abu Dhabi for all your support. I enjoyed kicking off my season here again ?? Congrats @DjokerNole on winning the @MubadalaTennis this year! pic.twitter.com/DmIziPhs60
— Kevin Anderson (@KAndersonATP) December 29, 2018