Djokovic No 1 for a record 378 weeks - but he isn’t done yet

Novak Djokovic says ‘I still want more achievements’ as he notches up 378 weeks at world No 1, surpassing Stefi Graf’s record.

At 35, Novak Djokovic still believes there is much to chase in the race to be considered the greatest player of all time. Picture: AFP

Having reached a record total of 378 weeks at world No 1, it would have been perfectly understandable had Novak Djokovic decided to start taking it a little easier on the tour aged 35. At least that is what his rivals in the locker room had wished for.

“I still want more achievements,” Djokovic said yesterday (Sunday), in an emphatic rebuttal of the idea that he might begin to wind things down. Level with Rafael Nadal on 22 grand-slam singles titles, he still believes there is much to chase in the race to be considered the greatest player of all time.

Some will argue that this latest record is the most impressive of all. When Steffi Graf notched up 377 weeks at the top of the rankings in 1997, it was considered to be a total that might never be surpassed. Twenty-six years later, Djokovic has steamed ahead and is well on course to reach the 400 mark.

Here he is! 🤩

The World No.1 @DjokerNole has a special message for his fans in Dubai ahead of the @atptour 500 event starting tomorrow! 🙌🏻#DDFTennis#ATPpic.twitter.com/GjMmWCZBku

— Dubai Tennis Champs (@DDFTennis) February 26, 2023

“I could not have imagined this, to be honest,” Djokovic said. “I was dreaming as a kid to be Wimbledon champion, to be No 1 in the world. I achieved those dreams in 2011. After that, I wanted more. Of course, I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else.

“It’s surreal in a way to be that many weeks at world No 1, to match Steffi Graf, who is one of the all-time greats of our sport. Just being among these legendary names is flattering. I’m very proud.”

Steffi Graf who was on top of the women’s rankings for 377 weeks in her career. Picture: AAP

After cruising to a tenth Australian Open title last month, Djokovic returns to action this week at the Dubai Duty Free Championships. This could be the only tournament he plays before the start of the European clay-court swing in mid-April, as he is still unable to enter the United States for next month’s Masters tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Djokovic said yesterday (Sunday) that he had still not received an update from the US government on his application for an exemption from the requirement to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

He will open his Dubai campaign tomorrow (Tuesday) against the Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac. A first match against Andy Murray for six years is possible in the quarter-finals, with Djokovic paying tribute to his old rival after his efforts in finishing runner-up at last week’s Qatar Open. Four of Murray’s five matches went to deciding third sets. “Huge respect to him.” Djokovic said. “Andy and I go back a long time since we were 11 or 12 years told. That’s the first time we played against each other - he kicked my ass [Murray won 6-0, 6-1 at a junior event in France].

Good to be back in Dubai for @DDFTennis. Let’s go Team 💪💪💪 #dubajkovićpic.twitter.com/ShOd3u2l2S

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) February 25, 2023

“He’s got so much talent, incredible grit and the incredible mentality of a champion, of a fighter. What is happening now this year with match points saved, the amount of hours he spent on the court, particularly in Australia, is just something you must admire and say ‘chapeau’ because of everything he has gone through with his hip.”

Murray arrived in Dubai yesterday (Sunday) feeling tired after his exertions in Doha. Last night (Sunday) he was considering withdrawing to rest up before Indian Wells and he is due to make a definitive decision this morning. He had been drawn to tomorrow (Tuesday) play Hubert Hurkacz, the world No 11 from Poland, who also faces a tricky 48-hour turnaround after winning the Marseille Open on an indoor hard court yesterday (Sunday).

As was seen last week, Murray’s hunger for success has not dimmed. Having reached 723 career ATP Tour wins in Doha, he already has his sights set on reaching the 800 mark. He is also four titles short of claiming a half-century.

“I think it’s important to have goals and targets,” Murray said. “Some are different to maybe what they were five, ten years ago. But I still have ambitions of winning tournaments, having deep runs in major events and winning a certain number of matches in my career.

“There are little things that you can do to keep yourself motivated. Part of it is seeing how far I can go with the physical limitation [a metal implant in his right hip] that I have. I didn’t know how much I was going to be able to play or if I’d be able to compete at this level again. Now that I know that I’m able to, I want to see how far that can go.”

The Times