Novak Djokovic started the new year with a bang by retaining his spot as World No. 1 at the beginning of the new season.
Djokovic, who is celebrating his 406th week as World No. 1, has now been ranked in that position in the 13th different year, extending his own record. The years in which the Serb has reigned supreme are 2011-2016 and 2018-2024.
This record is not the same as finishing the season ranked as World No. 1. Djokovic owns that record too, having done so on eight occasions, including last year when he fended off Carlos Alcaraz's challenge and became the oldest year-end No. 1 in ATP history.
But this latest milestone pertains to the fact that Djokovic has been able to touch onto the World No. 1 spot, irrespective of his final ranking at the end of that season.
It is an incredible record, whichever way you dissect it because it demonstrates the 36-year-old's remarkable longevity. Djokovic, who became World No. 1 for the first time after winning the 2011 Wimbledon title, heads this esteemed list and is clear of their greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, in this department.
The Spaniard is the only other man who has been ranked World No. 1 in at least ten different years, while retired Swiss legend Roger Federer only managed nine. All-time greats like Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl come jointly in fourth place with eight.
Djokovic appears to be on a mission to trump every single record this season. He has spoken about his ambition of winning the Calendar Golden Slam - which is the equivalent of winning all four majors and an Olympic gold medal in the same season.
Despite this achievement looking rather fanciful at this stage of his career, it is not beyond the realm of possibility. Djokovic played in all four Grand Slam finals last year and won three titles. He is already the odds-on favorite to win an 11th Australian Open by the end of the month.
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