Novak Djokovic eyes Pete Sampras’ record, explains when he hopes to pass Roger Federer milestone

ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic looking to the sky

Novak Djokovic has set his sights on two rankings milestones over the next few months as he hopes to tie Pete Sampras’ season-ending No 1 achievement and overtake Roger Federer’s all-time record for most weeks spent at the top of the rankings.

The Sampras record is first on the agenda and he will get an opportunity to do so at this week’s Vienna Open as two wins in Austria will be enough for him to finish the season as the world No 1 and emulate the American great.

Sampras finished top of the rankings for six consecutive years from 1993 to 1998 while Djokovic is currently tied with Federer and Rafael Nadal on five season-ending No 1s after reaching the milestone in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018.

“Sampras was my childhood idol growing up and it will be amazing to tie his record by being the year-end world No 1 six times,” the 17-time Grand Slam winner said.

The second record he has set his sights on is the 310 weeks Federer spent as the world No 1.

Djokovic started his 292nd week at the top of the rankings this week and if all goes according to plan then he will set the new milestone in early March 2021.

“It’s my great goal to achieve that and it’s something I am working towards,” the Serbian said.

“I hope it happens in March, but let’s see. So many unpredictable things can happen and things change week by week.”

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Novak Djokovic Pete Sampras

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