Grand Slam record winner Novak Djokovic trumped Germany’s tennis queen Steffi Graf at the beginning of the new week. The Serb is spending his 378th week at the top of the world rankings, tying the all-gender record of the 22-time Grand Slam winner.
“Of course it’s kind of surreal to be number one in the world for so many weeks, to draw level with Steffi Graf, who is one of the greats of our sport. It’s just flattering to be under these legendary names. I’m very proud on it,” said Djokovic in Dubai.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Serbian superstar is contesting his first tournament since his triumph at the Australian Open in January. After his knee injury, he was “almost back to one hundred percent,” said the 35-year-old. The most important thing is “that I don’t have any pain. The way I move on the pitch is not affected.”
At ATP level, Djokovic has long been the world ranking record holder, Roger Federer follows in second place in the all-time ranking with 310 weeks. Djokovic will probably no longer catch up with the Swiss “Maestro” in the longest-lasting series at the top: he would have to hold the position for 233 more weeks.
