Novak Djokovic is relishing his 410th week as world no. 1, maintaining his grasp on the throne despite a setback in the Australian Open semi-final. Standing tall in the realm of ranking records, Djokovic has achieved yet another remarkable milestone this week. His enduring reign surpasses that of his nearest competitor, Roger Federer, by 100, with the Swiss concluding his 310th and last week at no. 1 in June 2018 at the age of 36. This achievement follows closely on the heels of Novak surpassing Rafael Nadal by 200 weeks as the world’s top-ranked player just a week ago! While Djokovic does not pursue the ATP throne at any cost, his eagerness to remain competitive against younger rivals and compete for prestigious titles in the coming years is noticeable.
Regardless of the future, Novak’s stranglehold on ranking records positions him in a league of his own for many years to come. Boasting eight year-end no. 1 seasons, the Serb continues to accrue weeks at the helm of the tennis world. Djokovic has been synonymous with consistency since 2011, seizing records from his greatest rivals and solidifying his GOAT status. When Federer reached his 310th week as world no. 1 in 2018, Djokovic had 223, contending with an injury and patiently awaiting the return of his best tennis. That resurgence materialized a few weeks later at Wimbledon, where he claimed a Major title, igniting a brilliant comeback to the summit.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Daniel Pockett / Stringer – Getty Images Sport
Djokovic reclaimed the no. 1 ranking in the latter stages of the season and retained it for a year before conceding it to Nadal at the close of 2019. Since February 2020, Djokovic has been a persistent force atop the ATP ranking list, relinquishing the throne only momentarily to Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz while always rebounding resiliently. The Serb lost the ATP throne in June 2022 and stayed away from it for 36 weeks. Novak battled with Carlos Alcaraz in 2023, going back and forth with the young gun before breaking the rival’s resistance after the US Open. Djokovic cemented his year-end no. 1 honor in Paris and Turin, lifting two notable titles and notching his record-extending eighth year-end no. 1 honor.
Novak Djokovic is spending his 410th week on the ATP throne.
Novak claimed three Major titles from four finals last year, embracing a legendary season at 36. Djokovic became the second player with ten titles at a single Major in Melbourne and conquered Roland Garros, standing as the only player with three crowns at all four Majors. The Serb was the favorite to win his eighth Wimbledon trophy and extend his reign at Majors. He reached the final but fell to Alcaraz after five epic sets, experiencing his only loss at Majors in 2023. Novak conquered his 24th Major in New York over Daniil Medvedev, moving into the driving seat in the year-end no. 1 battle. Novak reduced his schedule by the end of the season, playing one Davis Cup match in Valencia and pushing strong in Paris and Turin. Djokovic conquered both indoor events, adding 2300 ATP points to his tally and finishing the season at the top for the eighth time, extending his record.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Julian Finney / Staff – Getty Images Sport
Novak lost his Australian Open title last week, falling to Jannik Sinner in the semi-final and losing in Melbourne for the first time in six years. Djokovic struggled with a minor virus in the opening couple of days, beating Dino Prizmic and Alexei Popyrin in four sets. The Serb recovered in rounds three and four against Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Adrian Mannarino, gathering a boost ahead of the quarter-final. Novak faced Taylor Fritz in a battle for the semi-final and claimed a hard-fought 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph in three hours and 45 minutes. Two rivals played under the sun for almost two and a half hours in the opening two sets.
They split them, and Djokovic took charge from the third, breaking his opponent four times (0-15 on break points in the opening two sets) to emerge at the top and set the clash against Jannik Sinner. The young Italian stood too strong for a ten-time champion, celebrating a 6-1, 6-2, 6-7, 6-3 victory in three hours and 22 minutes, moving into his first Major final. Djokovic played miles below his best, losing his first Australian Open match after passing the quarter-final round. Jannik faced no break points, producing one good hold after another and keeping the pressure on the other side. Novak made a terrible start, losing the opening two sets in an hour and 13 minutes following a powerless display.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Cameron Spencer / Staff – Getty Images Sport
The Serb played better in the third set, doing nothing on the return but keeping his serve intact en route to a tie break. Novak saved a match point and claimed it to extend the battle and his chances. However, it was not to be for a 24-time Major champion, who could not follow the rival’s pace in the fourth set. Jannik served well and squandered three break points in the second game. Sinner maintained the pressure on Djokovic and came back from 0-40 in the fourth game to secure a break after the Serb’s backhand error. Jannik served for the victory at 5-3 and fired two service winners at 15-30 for a match point. The Italian fired a forehand down the line winner, sealing the deal in style and dethroning the Serb.
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