Novak Djokovic equals Roger Federer's record of 310 weeks as ATP World No 1
The Serb reclaimed the top ranking from Rafael Nadal in February 2020 and finished as year-end number one for the sixth time, tying the mark set by Pete Sampras.
Novak Djokovic holds the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after defeating Daniil Medvedev in the men's singles final at the Australian Open. AP
Paris: Novak Djokovic matched Roger Federer's all-time record for the most weeks as ATP world number one on Monday, holding the top spot for the 310th week.
Djokovic's ninth Australian Open title last month ensured the 18-time Grand Slam champion will surpass Federer's record next week.
The Serb reclaimed the top ranking from Rafael Nadal in February 2020 and finished as year-end number one for the sixth time, tying the mark set by Pete Sampras.
This is Djokovic's fifth different stint atop the rankings. He spent 122 consecutive weeks as number one between July 2014 and November 2016. That record is currently held by Federer (237).
The only change in the top 20 on Monday saw David Goffin, who won his first title in over three years at Montpellier on Sunday, rise one spot to 14th at the expense of Milos Raonic.
ATP rankings as of March 1:
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 12030 pts
2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9850
3. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 9735
4. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 9125
5. Roger Federer (SUI) 6630
6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6595
7. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5615
8. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 4609
9. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 3480
10. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 3480
11. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2910
12. Gael Monfils (FRA) 2860
13. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 2770
14. David Goffin (BEL) 2760 (+1)
15. Milos Raonic (CAN) 2630 (-1)
16. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 2585
17. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 2575
18. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2535
19. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 2516
20. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) 2365
also read
Roger Federer poised for clay return after nearly two years, confirmed for Madrid Open
Federer hasn't won a tour clay title since Istanbul in 2015; his most recent Masters triumph on the surface was Madrid in 2012.
Monte Carlo Masters: Stefanos Tsitsipas strolls into last-16; Novak Djokovic to face rising star Jannik Sinner
Tsitsipas, who had been given a bye into the second round, took just one hour and 24 minutes to beat 29th-ranked Russian Karatsev.
Novak Djokovic to host Serbia tournament a year after COVID-19 flouting Adria Tour fiasco
Djokovic was among several players to test positive after last year's event, which was held in front of thousands of fans with no social distancing.