Since Novak Djokovic became World No. 1 for the first time 12 years ago, he has rendered almost every tennis record irrelevant in that timespan and potentially in the unforeseeable future.
Djokovic has reduced the accomplishments from some of the most illustrious names to have ever picked up a racket to just a mere stat sheet. This week, he kicks off a mind-boggling 397th week as the ATP's No. 1. Djokovic has now reigned at the top of the men's rankings as many times as 18 former ATP No. 1s.
The list features retired greats like Stefan Edberg, Carlos Moya, Jim Courier, Gustavo Kuerten, Boris Becker, and Andy Roddick to the current roster of active players that includes Andy Murray, Daniil Medvedev and even Carlos Alcaraz.
What makes Djokovic's current reign even more special and unique is how he's been able to grasp and improve the technicalities of his game, learn to adapt to a new set of challengers and master the tennis calendar. Djokovic has played the fewest number of tournaments than the majority of the players in the Top 100 this season.
In 10 tournaments on tour, he has won five titles, three at Grand Slam level. He was proclaimed the "master of the calendar" by former player Alex Corretja because he's like a genius chess player who knows where and when he needs to make a move.
At 36, Djokovic is fully aware that taking great care of his body is of utmost priority, and it all bodes down to efficiency. Djokovic wants to conserve his energy and movement for the cream of the crop when it comes to tournaments to play.
He is on course to finish the season as the year-end No. 1 for an eighth time. It would take him to the 400-week mark as the No. 1, which would be a historic landmark and one that is going to play on the back of his mind in tournaments at the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals before bringing the curtain down for the year.
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