Novak Djokovic has dominated the ATP rating record since 2011, reaching 428 no. 1 weeks and eight year-end no. 1 finishes. Nobody has come near Djokovic’s numbers, and the Serb has many different rating achievements. The newest got here this week, as Novak notched his 597th week within the top-2, leaving his nice rival Rafael Nadal on 596 and standing alone on the prime.
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Carlos Alcaraz may have saved two legends tight, as he would have handed Djokovic and entered the top-2 with the quarter-final in Cincinnati. Nonetheless, the younger Spaniard suffered an early loss and saved the Serb within the elite firm, permitting him to attain the document that may take some beating sooner or later.
At 37 years and three months, Djokovic continues to be among the many world’s greatest rivals, standing because the second-oldest top-2 participant after Ken Rosewall. Novak confirmed his full potential in 2007, lifting his first Masters 1000 trophies and enjoying in a Main last, changing into Roger Federer’s and Rafael Nadal’s closest rival.
The Serb had a few possibilities to separate the legends and crack the top-2 within the upcoming years. Nonetheless, he couldn’t make that step in February 2010, including his identify to the record of top-2 gamers at 22.
Djokovic had three stints within the top-2 that yr earlier than ending because the year-end no. 3 forward of his sensible run in 2011. Novak left all of the opponents behind that yr, settling within the top-2 in March and conquering the ATP throne in July after Wimbledon.
Djokovic kicked off his period, embracing 325 consecutive top-2 weeks and virtually breaking Federer’s document. Novak completed unimaginable issues throughout these years earlier than an elbow damage halted his progress. Djokovic couldn’t problem the rivals from the highest within the subsequent 12 months, dropping out from the top-20 earlier than embracing his comeback within the spring of 2018.
Novak conquered Wimbledon and the US Open within the upcoming months, returning the place he belonged and setting his eyes on the ATP throne.
Novak Djokovic is the primary participant with 597 top-2 weeks.
Djokovic returned to top-2 in October and added 169 weeks to his tally till June 2022, transferring nearer to Nadal’s document.
Novak missed two Majors that yr and returned stronger in 2023, embracing one among his best years and lifting three Main titles from 4 finals! Djokovic wrapped up the yr on the prime for the eighth time since 2011, maintaining a lot youthful opponents behind.
Novak spent virtually a complete season within the top-2, wanting good to catch Rafa’s tally in 2024. Djokovic achieved that regardless of not enjoying at his greatest within the opening 5 months of the season. Novak misplaced the Australian Open crown to Jannik Sinner, dropping to the Italian within the semi-final after failing to create a break level!
Jannik managed the tempo and grabbed 5 breaks, ousting the legend in 4 units and delivering Novak’s first loss in Melbourne after passing the quarter-final stage. The Serb misplaced to Luca Nardi in Indian Wells and picked up the Monte Carlo semi-final, falling to Casper Ruud.
Djokovic didn’t play higher in Rome and Geneva, struggling defeats to the lower-ranked opponents and never wanting good forward of Roland Garros. The veteran felt the ache in his proper knee, passing two five-setter marathons in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo earlier than withdrawing forward of the quarter-final.
Novak reacted promptly and underwent surgical procedure on June 5, battling in opposition to time forward of Wimbledon. Djokovic hit the health club per week later and appeared in London, hoping for draw within the opening rounds. Novak handed two difficult rivals en path to the final 16, avoiding five-setters and giving his knee an opportunity to get better additional.
Djokovic performed higher in opposition to Holger Rune, beating him in straight units and receiving a walkover from Alex de Minaur, taking extra days off the courtroom forward of the semi-final. Novak defeated Lorenzo Musetti in three tight units, transferring into one other Wimbledon last.
Djokovic confronted Carlos Alcaraz within the title conflict for the second straight yr.
The younger gun ousted the veteran 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 27 minutes, defending the trophy and maintaining Djokovic with the runner-up prize.
Given the circumstances, Novak drew constructive indicators from his marketing campaign, turning his deal with the Olympic Video games, the final lacking trophy in his assortment. The Serb made a convincing begin in opposition to Matthew Ebden, dropping one recreation and sealing the deal in 53 minutes.
Djokovic battled in opposition to Rafael Nadal for the sixtieth time within the second spherical, delivering a 6-1, 6-4 victory and transferring via. Novak defeated Dominik Koepfer 7-5, 6-3 within the third spherical, breaking the German thrice and reserving a spot within the quarter-final.
Djokovic ousted Stefanos Tsitsipas after a 6-3, 7-6 win, feeling the ache in his knee within the second set and trailing 5-2. Stefanos wasted three set factors on his serve, and Novak carried out a comeback, transferring excessive in straight units and resting his knee.
Djokovic chased his first victory within the Olympic Video games semi-finals in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti. The Serb beat the Italian 6-4, 6-2, delivering 5 straight breaks from the closing levels of the opening set and arranging the title conflict in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak prevailed 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 50 minutes, incomes the lacking title and carrying out all 15 notable trophies as the primary participant in historical past. They defended all 14 break factors and stayed neck and neck from begin to end.
Novak took cost in each tie breaks, sealing the deal in straight units and securing probably the most desired title of his profession. Djokovic skipped Montreal and Cincinnati and can enter the US Open, looking for his twenty fifth Main title.
