CNN
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Novak Djokovic has achieved one other milestone in his illustrious tennis profession, surpassing Steffi Graf to spend essentially the most weeks at No. 1 on the planet.
On Monday, Djokovic began his 378th week because the Affiliation of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world No. 1, spending essentially the most weeks in that spot because the ATP rating system started in 1973.
Every week in the past, Djokovic matched the Girls’s Tennis Affiliation (WTA) chief, Graf, who held the highest spot for 377 weeks in her profession.
“Along with your love and nice power that you’ve given me through the years, I’ve managed to attain many implausible achievements all through my profession,” Djokovic mentioned in a video message to followers, shared by the ATP.
“The latest one breaking the file of 378 weeks on No. 1 rankings, surpassing one of many best, most legendary tennis gamers – each women and men – that ever performed, Steffi Graf. So I’m flattered, clearly extraordinarily, extraordinarily proud and completely satisfied for this achievement.”
Djokovic jumped again as much as No. 1 when he received the Australian Open final month. It was his twenty second main title, tying him with Rafael Nadal for essentially the most grand slam singles titles in males’s tennis.
The 35-year-old will return to the courtroom this week as the highest seed within the Dubai Tennis Championships, his first event because the Australian Open.
The Serb has been out of motion with a hamstring damage however informed reporters he has been “ache free” for every week heading into his first match towards the Czech Republic’s Tomás Machác on Tuesday.
It’s but to be seen the place and when Djokovic will play after Dubai, together with his participation at subsequent month’s Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments doubtful.
America nonetheless requires worldwide guests to be vaccinated towards Covid-19, and Djokovic, who has beforehand confirmed that he stays unvaccinated, has now utilized for particular permission to enter the nation forward of each tournaments, which begin on March 6 and March 20 respectively.
“All I can do is hope in the meanwhile as a result of, you understand, my place stays the identical. There’s not a lot else I can do besides want for a optimistic end result,” Djokovic beforehand informed reporters.
