Novak Djokovic.Photo: James Gourley/Shutterstock
Novak Djokovicjust got another leg up in the discussion around the greatest men’s tennis player of all time.
On Monday, the 33-year-old Serbian claimed the record for themost weeks atop the ATP rankings, which lists the best players in men’s tennis, internationally.
“Big day today,” Djokovic wrote on Twitter ahead of the news.
According toTennis.com, Djokovic first made the top of the list back in July 2011 after he won the initial of his five Wimbledon titles. Leading up to the breakthrough a decade ago, he spoke about how much being named No. 1 would mean to him.
Novak Djokovic.Andy Cheung/Getty Images
“If I ever get that No. 1 in the world, that would be a dream come true for me,” he said at the time, according to the outlet. “That’s always been my life dream.”
Breaking the ATP record is not the only milestone Djokovic has accomplished this year.
“Everyone has their own journey and their own way of making history, and they’ve made history already,” Djokovic said after the match. “I’m trying to build that and develop that myself in a very unique authentic way that is suitable to me.”
He added, “Whether I think about winning more slams and breaking records, of course I do. Most of my attention and energy from this day forward, until I retire from tennis, is going to be directed in majors and trying to win more major trophies.”
RELATED VIDEO: Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep Celebrate ‘Magical’ Wimbledon Victories at Champions Dinner
Federer, who Djokovic beat out for the ATP record, has not seen action since early 2020, when he underwent two surgeries to his right knee.
Earlier this month, the 39-year-old officiallywithdrew from the Miami Opento “work his way back out on tour,” as he has other appearances scheduled soon, according to theAssociated Press.
He still plans to participate in Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha this month.
“After Doha and maybe Dubai, he will go back and do a training block to continue to slowly work his way back out on tour,” his agent Tony Godsick said.
source: people.com
