Novak Djokovic as No.1 for 378 weeks, tennis’s marathon man not slowing down!
It is official. Novak Djokovic is the player with most weeks spent as World No. 1 as the Serb starts his 378th week at the top of the rankings.
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Novak Djokovic
It was not a sheer coincidence, Novak Djokovic staying World No.1 for a record 378 weeks on the ATP ranking computer has coincided with Carlos Alcaraz losing a high-profile final to Briton Cameron Norrie in the Rio Open late on Sunday. The bigger worry for Alcaraz is a fresh injury, which shows how Gen Next is struggling to keep their frame in shape in the dream of fame ahead.
The ATP ranking computer may take a few hours more on Monday to officially put out Novak’s record as No. 1 for 378 weeks due to time zone differences. However, the celebrations and laudatory messages have started pouring in, from one and all. None other than Chris Evert has spoken of him as GOAT (Greatest Of All Time Status) which is good.
After all, a few weeks back, legend Billie Jean King had stoked the fire by saying “leave alone Steffi Graf’s legacy.” Graf had dotted the graph as No.1 for a record 377 weeks in a different era. Billie Jean King may have had a point, since comparing rankings on two different computer systems — ATP and WTA — has never happened before.
But then, this is hype and hyperbole, like it or lump it. It is not unique to tennis, even in cricket, the aggregate of runs across formats is being added up, as was the case with Virat Kohli‘s recent 25k runs aggregate achieved in the Delhi test of the BGT Series.
Related: “I have other priorities,” Novak Djokovic not going overboard ahead of breaking Steffi Graf’s record
Novak Djokovic still looking for bigger achievements
For long, Novak has kept a low profile. It has been part of his DNA, part of his profile and approach to life. He has believed more in action than words, though, off late, his PR mechanism has been pushing him harder! Last week when he said he was going to address at home in Serbia, it set the cat among the pigeons. He talked, for sure, but there was nothing sensational, really.
He made it clear his hamstring injury in Melbourne was serious and he had recovered. But for all those who thought he was going to beg to get into the United States of America to play two big upcoming events, he really was not vocal. Novak has many haters, still. The British media and the Aussie media go for crazy headlines. Daily Mail, a popular tabloid from Britain had a headline that Novak was begging for entry into the USA.
That was typical British cheap click-bait. Novak had not begged nor does he need to beg. He will be eligible to compete at the season’s last Major, the US Open, in 2023. That should settle a few debates. The hype over 378 weeks at the top, which is one year and 13 weeks, to put it emphatically, is a huge record. Novak has spoken on it. “I still want more achievements,” Djokovic said in Dubai on Sunday, ahead of the big ATP event starting Monday.
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“I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else. Of course, it’s surreal to be that many weeks world number 1, to match Steffi Graf, 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,” added Novak.
If you go through the choice of words Novak uses, he is still modest. That is still his hallmark. There are many more superstars with half his achievements who have been much more vocal. In a way, keeping a low profile, all along, has helped. They say silence is golden.
So, when Novak kept quiet, as he did for the most part during the Australian Open this January on his hamstring injury, it created more intrigue. Maybe, that guessing game from the Serbian, on and off the court, is more dangerous. Novak has also talked about how he could meet his friend Andy Murray in the quarter-finals at the Dubai event this week.
Novak has played down that rivalry being built up by social media. Both players have great mutual respect for each other. There will be brickbats and bouquets for Novak Djokovic with each passing achievement. Mount 378 is big, in terms of rankings. His passion, energy, endurance, and hunger are intact. That’s NOVAK.
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