The Record Of Steffi Graf Broke In The Hands Of Novak Djokovic

JAKARTA - Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic has written his name in a tennis history book. He broke the record previously held by legend Steffie Graf.

Djokovic overtook Graf's record on Monday, February 27. He named himself a tennis player, both male and female, who is ranked first in the world with the most weeks.

The Serbian holds the record for the most week as number one in ATP's ranking history when he surpassed Roger Federer's record for 310 weeks in March 2021. Now, he surpassed the Graf record by starting week 378 at the top of the rankings.

Djokovic, who is currently collecting 6,980 points at ATP's ranking, returned to rankings one last month for the first time since last June by winning the 10th Australian Open title to extend the record.

"Of course with the great love and strength you have given me over the years, I have achieved many fantastic achievements throughout my career," Djokovic said, quoted from ATP's official website, as reported by Antara.

"The latest is breaking records with 378 weeks at No. 1 in the rankings, surpassing one of the greatest and most legendary tennis players -- both men and women -- who have played, Steffi Graf. So I am honored, obviously very, very proud and happy for this achievement."

378 🙌🙏💪🐺🎾🏔🦅❤️🇷🇸 Blessed and Grateful 🙏 pic.twitter.com/AK5UIfvv7g

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) February 27, 2023

The 35-year-old, who competed in the Dubai Tennis Championships this week, first moved up to No.1 at the age of 24 and 43 days on July 4, 2011, and spent 122 consecutive weeks at the top of the ATP rankings from 7 July 2014 to 6 November 2016.

Djokovic is one of 28 players in the history of ATP rankings who holds the top spot. He completed 2021 as year-end first place for the seventh record, which also took place in 2011-12, 2014-15, 2018 and 2020.

The chart, which first reached the women's top ranking in 1987, won 107 titles in her career, including 22 Grand Slam titles.

Here are the five longest players to be ranked first in the world: