World No. 1s are now world champions.

Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep earned 2018 ITF World Champion honors, the International Tennis Federation announced.

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The 31-year-old Djokovic was named world champion for the sixth time, while Halep earned the prestigious honor for the first time.

It was a year that saw Halep rally past Sloane Stephens to claim her first career Grand Slam title at Roland Garros five months after she finished runner-up to Caroline Wozniacki in a gripping Australian Open final.

"It's a great honor to be named as ITF World Champion for the first time," Halep said. "I had an incredible year, winning my first Grand Slam at Roland Garros and finishing the year as world No. 1. To be recognized in this way is really special and provides extra motivation to keep working for next season."



Djokovic, who is training near his Monte-Carlo home for his return in the Abu Dhabi exhibition later this month, said this award was particularly satisfying given the fact he underwent elbow surgery in February and sputtered through the first three months of the season.

"I am very honored to be named ITF World Champion again," Djokovic said. "I am particularly proud of this achievement after all that I’ve been through physically this year, but part of me always believed I could make it back to the top. It is very satisfying to join Pete Sampras by winning my sixth award."



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