World ranking: Novak Djokovic replaces Roger Federer as record holder
On March 8, 2021,Novak Djokovic should have reason to be happy: Then the Serbian will surpass RogerFederer's record of 310 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings.
by SID
last edit: Feb 17, 2021, 06:15 pm
Novak Djokovic achieved one of his biggest goals before the semi-finals at the Australian Open - and the Serb didn't even have to step on the tennis court. Due to the quarter-final defeat of his pursuer Rafael Nadal (Spain) at the Australian Open, Djokovic remains number one in the world rankings beyond March 8. He will then go into his 311st week as number one and overtake the current record holder Roger Federer (Switzerland / 310).
Djokovic (33) took the lead in the ATP ranking for the first time on July 4, 2011 after his first Wimbledon victory. The 17-time Grand Slam champion has been at the top without interruption since February 3, 2020. On Thursday (9.30 a.m. / Eurosport) he will meet Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev in the semi-finals of the Australian Open in Melbourne. Djokovic is still two wins short of his ninth title at the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Nadal cannot keep up with Djokovic as number one (209) in the total number of weeks. But the Mallorcan has another impressive record. The 34-year-old is in the top 10 in the upcoming ranking on Monday in his 805th week.
He has been there since April 2005, shortly before his first of 13 triumphs at the French Open. The old record holder was Jimmy Connors (USA) with 789 weeks in a row.