DJOKOVIC SEIZES NO. 1 RECORD, VOWS TO DEVOTE TIME CHASING SLAMS MARK
PARIS—Novak Djokovic set a new landmark of 311 weeks as world No. 1 on Monday, one week longer than Roger Federer, whose tally of a record 20 Grand Slam titles the Serb is now “devoted” to breaking.
Djokovic, 33, won his 18th major at the Australian Open in February. With Federer turning 40 in August, the Serb has time on his side. He is a year younger than Rafael Nadal, who also has 20 majors.
“The two main goals in tennis are probably the number of Grand Slams won and the number of weeks spent at No. 1,” Djokovic told Serbian broadcaster RTS.
“I am honored to have achieved one of them, now I will devote myself to the second.”
Djokovic reclaimed the top ranking from Nadal in February 2020 and finished as year-end No. 1 for the sixth time, tying the record set by Pete Sampras.
“It really excites me to walk the path of legends and giants of this sport,” said Djokovic, in a statement released by the ATP, whose rankings have been running since Aug. 23, 1973.
“To know that I earned my place among them by following my childhood dream is a beautiful confirmation that when you do things out of love and passion, everything is possible.”
ATP chair Andrea Gaudenzi said: “Novak’s many achievements in tennis are nothing short of extraordinary. Among them, this record may stand as his single most impressive.”
Few would bet against Djokovic, who in 2016 was the first man to break the $100-million prize money barrier, ending his career with more Slams than Federer and Nadal.
In head-to-heads, he leads Federer 27-23 and has won all six of their last meetings at the majors, including 2019’s epic Wimbledon final where he saved two match points.