Novak Djokovic overtook Roger Federer for the biggest weeks at No. 1 in Monday’s ATP rankings.
Djokovic is in his 311th week in the lead, one more than Federer spent there.
“Today is a big day,” Djokovic tweeted on Monday.
The 33-year-old Serbian man first reached No. 1 on July 4, 2011, a day after he won Wimbledon for the first time by defeating Rafael Nadal in the final. Djokovic’s ascent represented for the first time in nearly 7 1/2 years that he was one more than Federer or Nadal No. 1.
“Any athlete in the world dreams of becoming World No. 1. This is something that inspires us a lot, ”said Djokovic back then, when the ATP marked the event by giving him a cake in a shape similar to the number“ 1 ”in red, blue and bright Serbian flag. “So finally, when you really do it, and when you know you’re the best, it’s an amazing achievement.”
Djokovic has gone on to win five titles at the All England Club, along with nine at the Australian Open, three at the US Open and one at the French Open.
His 18 singles Grand Slam runs were just the 20 that Federer and Nadal asked for the men’s mark.
Djokovic has held five different stays at No. 1 and finished six seasons there, tying Pete Sampras for the most part.
Sampras held a total of 286 weeks until Federer surrendered in July 2012. Ivan Lendl is fourth with 270, and Jimmy Connors next at 268.
The ATP introduced its computer rankings in 1973.
Djokovic’s competition at Melbourne Park last month forced him to stay at No. 1 at least until this week and claim full ownership of the record from Federer.
Djokovic said he would reach that milestone as a “relief” and said he would allow him to “focus all my attention on Slams, normally.”
“When you go for a No. 1 ranking, you have to play all season, and you have to play well; you have to play every tournament, ”said Djokovic. “My goals will change and move a little.”
Federer recently spent the week at No. 1 in June 2018. He was 36 at the time and that will still allow him to hold the record for senior for holding that top spot.
His 40th birthday is August 8th.
After two surgeries on his right knee in 2020, Federer has gone more than a year without competing. He plans to return to tour action at the Qatar Open on Wednesday.
With so much inactivity, Federer slipped to No. 6 in Monday’s ranking, changing spots with Stefanos Tsitsipas.