Steffi Graf holds the record with 377 weeks as world number 1, leaving behind all the players on the ATP and WTA circuit. However, Novak Djokovic will change that situation next week, enjoying his 376th week on the ATP throne and preparing to match the German on the following Monday.
The Serb kicked off his seventh reign on the ATP throne following his 22nd Major title at the Australian Open. Novak battled Stefanos Tsitsipas for No. 1 in the final and scored a 6-3 7-6 7-6 victory in two hours and 56 minutes, leveling Rafael Nadal and writing the history books.
Things were not looking good for Djokovic after last year’s Roland Garros, losing the title to Rafael Nadal and missing out on 2,000 ATP points at Wimbledon due to politics. To make matters worse, Novak skipped Montreal, Cincinnati and the US Open due to his vaccination status and allowed his rivals to increase the gap.
Djokovic arrived in Tel Aviv at the end of September, playing his first ATP tournament in more than two months. The Serbian won the title and added another one a week later at the ATP 500 in Astana. Hungry for more, Novak set his eyes on his seventh crown at the Paris Masters.
Djokovic reached the final and fell to the young Holger Rune after a great battle in the decider. Novak scored 1,350 points in three events and looked forward to more in Turin. The Serbian conquered the ATP Finals for the first time in years after scoring all five victories.
Thus, he ended the season on a high and earned himself the opportunity to become world number 1 in early 2023. Djokovic began the new season with the Adelaide title, adding 250 points to his tally and winning his fourth title of the five previous tournaments.
Novak injured his left leg during the season and did not present a good image in the early stages of the Australian Open. Djokovic battled against Enzo Couacaud and Grigor Dimitrov to reach the fourth round, doing his best to drive the pain away.
Marian Vajda on Nole Djokovic
Novak Djokovic and his former coach Marian Vajda won 20 Grand Slam championships together during their 15-year long association. “The relationship continues well, but it was cut off due to a professional issue.
We spent 15 years together. He decided to play fewer tournaments and be with a smaller team, and Goran is number one on the team,” Vajda told Olé. “He’s stabilizing, he knows how to train, how to get along with Goran. I’m fine, he’s fine. And that’s how it has to be,” the Slovak said.
