Novak Djokovic Makes History, Chasing Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal For Grand Slam Record

Novak Djokovic has added another accomplishment to his historic career. The Serbian tennis star has set a record with 311 total weeks as the ATP’s top-ranked player in the world.

Djokovic breaks the mark that was held by Roger Federer. Federer’s 310th week as the top-ranked player in men’s tennis came nearly three years ago.

Rafael Nadal, 34, was the last player to have the No. 1 spot before Djokovic.

Djokovic has won 82 career titles. The 33-year-old has sat atop the rankings for 36 straight weeks.

“It really excites me to walk the path of legends and giants of this sport,” Djokovic said, via the ATP. “To know that I have 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.”

Pete Sampras is third all-time with 286 weeks at No. 1. Sampras and Djokovic are tied with six year-end No. 1 finishes. Nadal and Federer have both done it five times.

Djokovic won the 2021 Australian Open, giving him 18 career Grand Slam victories. Djokovic has won every Grand Slam and has been most successful in Melbourne, where he has won half his total of Grand Slams.

“Novak’s many achievements in tennis are nothing short of extraordinary.” ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi said. “Among them this record may stand as his single most impressive. Reaching No. 1 is something many players dream of and very few ever accomplish, and to have held the top spot for longer than anyone is testament to the levels of sustained excellence that Novak has redefined in our sport.”

Federer and Nadal are tied for first in history with 20 Grand Slam wins. Of the last 70 Grand Slams, only 12 were not won by either Djokovic, Federer or Nadal.

Federer, 39, underwent two knee surgeries in 2020. There have been questions as to whether the Swiss legend would soon retire.

“I was down. Obviously, I couldn’t believe I had to do a second one,” Federer said on Sunday. “This is definitely a moment where you maybe question a little bit more.”