Reporter Kim Hee-joon = Novak Djokovic (36, Serbia) surpassed women’s tennis ‘legend’ Stef Graf (54, Germany) and set a new record for the longest cumulative period of being ranked first in the world singles ranking.
In this week’s world ranking announced by the men’s professional tennis (ATP) tour on the 27th (Korean time), Djokovic earned 6,980 ranking points and kept the first place for five consecutive weeks.
This brings Djokovic’s cumulative number of weeks at the top of the world ranking to 378 weeks. It broke Graf’s 377 weeks, which was the highest record in this category for both men and women, and wrote a new history. 안전놀이터
Djokovic, who rose to No. 1 in the world rankings for the first time in July 2011, has been consistently active as a top ranker for over 10 years and has established a monumental achievement.
Djokovic, who finished 2022 at No. 5 in the world rankings, maintained her No. 1 position after winning her first major tournament of the season, the Australian Open, in January and boosting her world rankings to No. 1.
Djokovic won his 22nd major championship at this year’s Australian Open, tying with Rafael Nadal (Spain) for the most wins in men’s singles majors.
Graf also tasted 22 career victories in her majors.
Djokovic, who focused on treatment for a while after standing on top of the Australian Open with a left hamstring rupture injury, will compete in the Dubai Duty Free Championship held in the United Arab Emirates this week.
Djokovic said, “It is surreal to stand shoulder to shoulder with Graf, the greatest player and legend in the history of tennis. It is an honor to be named alongside a legendary player.”
Djokovic faces Tomas Machachi (Czech Republic, 130th) in the first round of the Dubai Championships.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaras (Spain), who finished runner-up at the Rio Open, took second place with 6,780 ranking points.
