It seems Novak Djokovic is addicted to greatness, and his record-setting run as the player with the most weeks at No. 1 has another layer of superiority.
Djokovic is celebrating a landmark achievement. This week, he compiles his 418th week at No. 1, which is already the equivalent of eight full calendar years at the top. What is even more remarkable is that this figure is twice that of the next active player on the list.
That player is his long-time rival, Rafael Nadal, who was ranked No. 1 for 209 weeks. Djokovic also has over 100 more weeks than second-placed Roger Federer (310 weeks) in the all-time list of ATP players.
In recent years, the Serbian legend has also surpassed retired WTA players in this distinction, like Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, and Steffi Graf, to sit at the mountaintop.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion’s longevity has helped him stand the test of time. He has been tipped to play into his 40s, although he is unsure how many years he has left to play the sport.
This season, Djokovic is unlikely to feature in many tournaments. Last year, he played in just 12 ATP tournaments and still won the most titles with seven.
There is a growing belief that this number will only get lower in 2024, having only played three tournaments since the start of the season. His withdrawal from the Miami Open and subsequent statements support this argument.
Djokovic’s priority will be on the Slams as he looks to break a two-player tie with Margaret Court for the most majors with 25. He is also gunning to win his first gold medal at the Olympics, which, in hindsight, is the only missing accolade on his illustrious resume.
The 36-year-old will have another record in mind. Now that he is assured of remaining World No. 1 until at least mid-April, he will become the oldest World No. 1 in ATP history in the first week of April, breaking Roger Federer’s record from 2018.
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