How Djokovic Could Emulate Federer By Winning 100th Career Title In Dubai

How Djokovic Could Emulate Federer By Winning 100th Career Title In Dubai

by Nurein Ahmed

There is one prominent record that Novak Djokovic is not the current holder, and that is the most singles ATP titles.

That record is held by American great Jimmy Connors, who won 109 titles during his glittering 24-year playing career. In fact, the only other man who crossed the 100 mark in terms of titles won is Roger Federer, who won 103 titles until his retirement in 2022.

Novak Djokovic is not far off, having won a 98th title last weekend at the ATP Finals. The Serbian is the current active player well within reach of both Connors and Federer to beat that record. And Djokovic could actually hit a century of ATP titles early next year, possibly at the Dubai Championships.

Coincidentally, Federer won his 100th ATP singles title in Dubai in 2019, which was precisely 6,600 days since winning his first title in Milan in 2001. He defeated Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. The Swiss added three more trophies that year, taking his final tally to 103.

24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic will likely join the 100-club in Dubai next February, provided he can win one tournament before that. Djokovic's schedule early next year involves playing two events - the United Cup and the Australian Open.

But because the United Cup doesn't count as an ATP tournament, he can get to 99 by winning his 11th Australian Open. Historically, Djokovic tends to take a month-long rest after leaving Melbourne, and Dubai has always been his favorite spot during the Middle East swing.

Since his debut appearance back in 2007, he has only missed four editions of the Dubai Tennis Championships. He's won the event five times and has played some of his best tennis there. This year, he lost in the semifinal stage to eventual champion Daniil Medvedev, who snapped his 20-match winning streak.

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