Djokovic surpasses Federer’s all-time file of weeks spent as world No.1
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Posted On March 22, 2021
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The Serbian has now topped the ATP rankings for a mixed 311 weeks, surpassing Federer’s tally of 310 on Monday.
Djokovic has loved 5 totally different spells because the world’s greatest male tennis participant, most lately wrestling high spot of Rafael Nadal in February 2020.
“It actually excites me to stroll the trail of legends and giants of this sport,” Djokovic stated per the ATP Tour.
“To know that I’ve earned my place amongst them by following my childhood dream is an exquisite affirmation that whenever you do issues out of affection and keenness, every thing is feasible.”
The 33-year-old first topped the rankings again in July 2011 and has gone on to determine himself as probably the greatest gamers in tennis historical past.
After profitable the Australian Open in February, Djokovic now has 18 grand slam titles to his identify, simply two lower than Federer and Nadal.
“Novak’s many achievements in tennis are nothing wanting extraordinary,” stated ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi. “Amongst them this file might stand as his single most spectacular.”
“Reaching No. 1 is one thing many gamers dream of and only a few ever accomplish, and to have held the highest spot for longer than anybody is testomony to the degrees of sustained excellence that Novak has redefined in our sport.”
Federer return
Talking after his Australian Open victory, Djokovic stated he’ll now direct his efforts solely on profitable extra grand slams as he hunts Federer and Nadal’s all-time males’s file.
Nonetheless Federer, 39, insists his profession is much from over after enduring an extended harm lay off over the past yr.
He hasn’t performed in a aggressive match since shedding to Djokovic in final yr’s Australian Open semifinals but it surely set to return to motion in Qatar this week.
While his expectations stay low for his first match in over a yr, Federer has his eyes set on full health at Wimbledon in June.
“I’d shock myself, however then truly I already [have] finished in observe the previous few weeks,” he advised reporters.
“I used to be shocked at truly how nicely it did go. However like we all know, matches are a distinct animal.”
