Djokovic breaks top-rank record

broke the record for the most time spent at No. 1 in the professional tennis rankings by a man or woman, beginning his 378th week in the ATP’s top spot on Monday to surpass Steffi Graf ’s 377 leading the WTA.

He already held the men’s mark, eclipsing Roger Federer’s old ATP standard of 310 weeks in March 2021.

“I’m flattered, obviously. Extremely, extremely proud and happy for this achievement,” Djokovic said in a video posted on social media, in which he referred to Graf as “one of the greatest, most legendary, tennis players.”

After Djokovic and Graf on the all-time No. 1 weeks list are Martina Navratilova, with 332, and Serena Williams, with 319, followed by Federer. The computerized rankings began in the 1970s.

Djokovic has finished seven years atop the ATP, another men’s record.

The 35-year-old from Serbia returned to No. 1 this time by winning the Australian Open in January, jumping up from No. 5 to overtake Carlos Alcaraz. That title was Djokovic’s 22nd at a Grand Slam tournament, equaling Rafael Nadal for the most by a man in tennis history.

Rublev advances in Dubai title defense: Andrey Rublev began his Dubai Championships title defense by spoiling Filip Krajinovic’s birthday when he won 7-5, 6-2 on Monday.

Krajinovic, who turned 31, raced 5-2 ahead. The second-seeded Rublev then won 11 of the next 13 games.

Rublev next faces Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who beat Malek Jaziri in straight sets in the Tunisian’s last pro match.

Also, Alexander Zverev beat Jiri Lehecka 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Volynets wins at Austin: Women's professional tennis made its WTA tournament debut in Austin, and Katie Volynets beat Alison Riske-Amritraj 6-3, 3-6, 6-0 in an all-American matchup to reach the second round of the ATX Open.

In other Day 1 results at the hard-court tournament, 151st-ranked Mirjam Bjorklund eliminated 50th-ranked Alycia Parks 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 and Anna Blinkova defeated

Ann Li 6-4, 6-4.