Novak Djokovic on record-breaking year-end No 1 ranking: ‘To surpass my childhood idol Pete Sampras is incredible’
Novak Djokovic made another piece of history by beating Hubert Hurkacz in the semi-finals of the Rolex Paris Masters to ensure he will finish a season ranked world No 1 for the seventh time.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion cannot now be caught by US Open winner Daniil Medvedev and breaks the record he jointly held with Pete Sampras.
Djokovic has topped the standings in seven of the past 11 seasons and broke the record for the most weeks at number one for any male player earlier this year.
He’s made history once again 🙌@DjokerNole clinches year-end No. 1 in the @FedEx ATP Rankings for a record-breaking seventh time! 👏 pic.twitter.com/HaXhuVicoE
— ATP Tour (@atptour) November 6, 2021
He has now been No 1 for 345 weeks and counting, with his most recent spell beginning in February 2020.
Djokovic said: “(I’m) just proud and extremely happy. Obviously that was one of the biggest goals, and it’s always one of the biggest goals, to try to be No 1 and end the season as No 1.
“To do it for the record seventh time and surpass my childhood idol and role model Pete is incredible. Very grateful, very blessed to be in this position.”
Djokovic returned to action this week for the first time since he fell one step short of a calendar Grand Slam by losing to Medvedev in the final in New York.
He has looked understandably a little rusty but recovered from a set down to defeat Hurkacz 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7-5).
THE SUPER SERB 🇷🇸☝️@DjokerNole fights past Hurkacz 3-6 6-0 7-6(5) to ensure he will surpass Pete Sampras’ six year-end No.1 finishes!#RolexParisMasters pic.twitter.com/AVYDpSRTR6
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 6, 2021
The Pole had already achieved his main goal of the week by clinching the eighth spot at the ATP Finals later this month and was blown away in the second set.
However, he hit back from 4-1 down in the deciding set to force a tie-break but fell just short.
Latest
-
Tennis NewsHeather Watson and Cameron Norrie flying the flag for Britain today at Wimbledon
Only four Brits remain.
-
Tennis NewsCarlos Alcaraz finding his feet at SW19 to threaten Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal
He’s becoming a bigger danger to the ‘more experienced.’
-
WimbledonNick Kyrgios punished for spitting at fan in Wimbledon crowd
Bad boy Kyrgios handed yet another fine.
-
WimbledonJack Draper suffers defeat but promises to return to Wimbledon a better player
It wasn’t to be this year.
-
WimbledonWimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
WimbledonAlex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
WimbledonRafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
NewsIga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
WimbledonNick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.
-
WimbledonExclusive – John Lloyd on the key reason for the stunning form of Katie Boulter and British players at Wimbledon
The stunning success of British players at Wimbledon contunued as Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady all won.