By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday February 17, 2021
It’s official: Novak Djokovic will break Roger Federer’s record for most weeks at the ATP’s No.1-ranked player on March 8th. The Serb, who is still in contention for his 18th major singles and ninth Australian Open title this weekend in Melbourne, has locked up the top ranking from now until then as a result of Rafael Nadal’s five-set loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday night in Melbourne.
Federer, the previous holder of the record, logged 310 weeks at No.1.
Weeks at No.1, all-time, on March 8:
Djokovic, 311
Federer, 310
Sampras, 286
Lendl, 270
Connors, 268
Djokovic still has some work to do if he intends to surpass the three women that have more weeks at No.1 logged. Serena Williams (319), Martina Navratilova (332) and Steffi Graf (377) all have more than the Serb at the moment.
Djokovic first topped the ATP rankings on July 4, 2011. It’s not the only big ranking milestone Djokovic is chasing. Last year he tied Pete Sampras by earning his sixth year-end No.1 ranking, and this year he’ll try to pass the American legend by achieving the feat a seventh time.
For now, Djokovic will dial in his focus on winning the title in Melbourne. The Serb will face either Daniil Medvedev or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open final.