How Novak Djokovic compares to tennis greats after setting new rankings record

20.11.2023 - 16:01 breakingnews.ie

Novak Djokovic’s ATP Finals win on Sunday rubber-stamped him as the year-end world number one for a record eighth time and took him to 400 total weeks at the top of the rankings.

Here, the PA news agency looks at how his record compares to the greats of the game. Djokovic already had more year-end number one rankings than any other male player, with his eighth meaning he now matches the record set by Steffi Graf on the WTA Tour.

The Serbian finished both 2011 and 2012 top of the pile, with another pair back to back in 2014 and 2015. Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal interrupted his dominance in 2016 and 2017 respectively but Djokovic was back on top in 2018, 2020, 2021 and now this year.

Pete Sampras is his nearest challenger on the ATP Tour with six year-end number one rankings, all in successive years from 1993 to 1998, with five each for Jimmy Connors, Roger Federer and Nadal.

tennis Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Andy Murray Serena Williams Novak Djokovic Pete Sampras Martina Navratilova Chris Evert Jimmy Connors Atp Tour Switzerland Serbia

Veteran weightlifter John Merner knew he had only one chance to set a world record in his latest competition.

Rafael Nadal Plays Down Expectations Before Brisbane International Return

Former world number one Rafael Nadal said on Monday he expects "nothing" from himself before his return to the courts next month. Nadal, 37, has been out with a hip injury since last January but is set to feature at Brisbane in the near year. The Spaniard will use the tournament as a warm-up to the Australian Open in Melbourne having slumped to 663rd in the world before starting his final year before his expected retirement.

Rafael Nadal Confirms Brisbane International Return Ahead Of Australian Open

Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal, absent from the courts for almost a year with a hip injury, announced Friday that he would return to competition in Brisbane next month ahead of the Australian Open. "Hello everyone, after a year away from competition, it's time to come back. It will be in Brisbane the first week of January. I'll see you there," the 22-time Grand Slam winner said in a post on social media. Former world number one Nadal has not played since his defeat in the second round of the Australian Open last January, a tournament he won in 2009 and 2022. "I think I don't deserve to end like this," said Nadal, referring to his Melbourne exit last year.

Singapore swimmer Letitia Sim sets new national record, meets Olympic qualification mark

SINGAPORE: Singapore swimmer Letitia Sim met the 2024 Paris Olympics “A” cut for the women’s 100m breaststroke on Thursday (Nov 30) as she finished second in the event at the Japan Open.

Jannik Sinner inspires Italy to first Davis Cup in 47 years

Jannik Sinner followed up his heroics against Novak Djokovic by leading Italy to their first Davis Cup title for 47 years.

Saintly Jannik Sinner sends Italy to Davis Cup final

Jannik Sinner stunned Novak Djokovic with wins in singles and doubles to send Italy through to a first Davis Cup final for 20 years.