Novak Djokovic to Make History as Oldest World No. 1 in ATP Rankings

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, maintained his position as the World No.1 on the ATP Tour, adding to his extensive list of records.

Additionally, he is set to break the record for being the oldest World No.1 this Sunday, surpassing Roger Federer’s achievement as the oldest No. 1 in ATP Rankings history. Djokovic will achieve this milestone at the age of 36 years and 321 days.

Djokovic, hailed as one of the greatest players in tennis history, has demonstrated remarkable longevity at the top of his game, even as he enters his fourth decade. Since his 30th birthday on May 22, 2017, the Serbian has secured 31 tour-level titles, including 12 of his 24 Grand Slam victories, 10 of his 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles, and two of his seven ATP Finals wins.

Djokovic’s renowned dedication and professionalism across all facets of his preparation, training, and recuperation have ensured his status as one of the premier athletes in the sport well into his mid-30s. In addition to his exceptional on-court abilities, he has embraced practices like yoga and meditation to enhance his physical and mental well-being, while also prioritizing a nutritious diet to support his overall health.

Djokovic has often spoken about how the emergence of younger rivals has motivated him to elevate his game to new levels, enabling him to remain competitive against the next generation of ATP Tour stars.

Djokovic first attained the World No. 1 ranking on July 4, 2011, when he was 24 years old. In contrast, both of his major ‘Big 3’ rivals, Federer and Rafael Nadal, reached the top spot for the first time at the age of 22.

Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic’s latest challenger for the top spot, made history in September 2022 by becoming the youngest No. 1 in ATP Rankings history at the age of 19.

However, over the approximately 13 years since he first claimed the World No. 1 title, Djokovic has spent a considerable amount of time at the pinnacle of tennis. As of Monday, he began his record-extending 419th week as the World No. 1, placing him 109 weeks ahead of the second-placed Federer (310 weeks).