Novak Djokovic has completed tennis.
The Serbian star has broken Steffi Graf’s record of 377 weeks at number one in the world rankings.
To put that in perspective, that's seven years, two months, three weeks and two days as the best player on the planet.
Not bad, not bad at all.
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“I still want more achievements,” Djokovic told reporters ahead of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
“I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else.
“Of course, it’s surreal in a way to be that many weeks world number one, to match Steffi Graf, who is one of the all-time greats of our sport, both men and women. Just being amongst these legendary names is flattering. I’m very proud of it.”
Chasing his record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title, Djokovic now has a busy year ahead of him as he looks for yet more silverware at Wimbledon as well as the US and French Opens.
But shiny trophies aside, many believe this record of maintaing top spot is arguably more impressive – tennis legend Boris Becker being one of them.
“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” Becker told Eurosport. “I never thought this record could be broken.
“As a fellow German I would have wished for Steffi Graf to be the all-time leader, but being a close friend of Novak as well, I am not too unhappy either.
“Novak is a fantastic guy and a great champion. Records are meant to be broken. Sooner or later all records will be broken, but this is one for the tennis history books.
“And guess what, it’s still counting. I think Novak will be number one for a few weeks more before somebody will take his crown.”
Upon his return to Australian soil following his deportation during the pandemic, Djokovic fought through injury struggles to win the prestigious tournament.
His victory at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena means he is unbeaten in the 12 matches he's played this season.
“I’m getting closer to a hundred per cent,” Djokovic said.
“Still not there in terms of the game itself, how I feel on the court. But the important thing is that there is no pain. I don’t have a hindrance to the way I move on the court.”
Topics: Tennis, Novak Djokovic
Max Sherry