Novak Djokovic officially became the holder of the all-time World No. 1 record on Monday (February 27) as the new ATP rankings were released. The Serbian great entered his 378th career week as the World No. 1, breaking a tie with another 22-time Grand Slam champion, Steffi Graf, who held the record for almost 26 years.
Djokovic’s incredible achievement drew high praise from many in the tennis fan community.
The Serb was stuck at 373 weeks over seven months, agonizingly short of Graf’s record since losing the top spot back in June last year. He regained the No. 1 ranking by winning the 2023 Australian Open on January 29 and has not relinquished the spot since.
With Djokovic now adding his name to another big record in tennis history, fans expressed their amazement at him beating Graf’s record. Meanwhile, some fans believe the 35-year-old will now set a very high number himself for the all-time No. 1 record.
“Amazing how at 35 still plays flawless tennis and unbeatable on almost all surface and condition. Dont bet against him staying no.1 until 500 weeks,” a Twitter used opined.
“He is now playing the best I have seen him do! I am confident he will get another to nbrs that nobody can ever reach!” another fan wrote.
Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans to the Serbian tennis superstar’s World No. 1 record:
@No1eGal Same. Novak Djokovic is a hero and a role model.❤️
“Could not have imagined it; I still want more achievements” – Novak Djokovic on clinching World No. 1 record
Reflecting on his journey, Novak Djokovic recently said that he never imagined he would spend more than seven years in total at the summit of the world rankings. As a kid, the Serbian player dreamt only of winning Wimbledon and becoming the World No. 1, and his hunger grew after he achieved those results.
Having said that, the 10-time Australian Open champion declared that he now wants to break more major records in the sport.
“I could not have imagined it at that point, to be honest,” Djokovic said in a press conference ahead of the Dubai Tennis Championships. “I was dreaming as a kid to be Wimbledon champion, to be No. 1 in the world. I achieved those dreams [in] 2011. After that, of course, I wanted more. I still want more achievements.
“Of course, I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else,” the Serbian superstar added.
Playing in his first tournament since winning the 2023 Australian Open, the 22-time Grand Slam champion will begin his Dubai Tennis Championships campaign against Tomas Machac on Tuesday. He is bidding for his third title of 2023 this week, having won the Adelaide International 1 earlier in the year along with the Australian Open.
