Novak Djokovic is Officially The Oldest World No. 1 in ATP History

At 36 years and 321 days old, Novak Djokovic has officially become the oldest player to hold the World No. 1 ranking in ATP history. This remarkable victory surpasses the last record held by Roger Federer and further solidifies Djokovic's claim as one of the greatest players in the history of men's tennis. Djokovic has commenced his 420th week as the No. 1 player in the world, a record that seems almost unbeatable.

Djokovic’s dominance in the sport is highlighted by his phenomenal longevity and consistency. He has now held the top spot for 110 weeks more than Federer, who spent 310 weeks as World No. 1 during his eminent career. The only other player who comes close is Pete Sampras, with 286 weeks at the top, making Djokovic’s lead even more impressive.

In addition to his exceptional ranking record, Djokovic is on the verge of breaking several other long-standing tennis records. He is just 12 tournament wins away from surpassing Jimmy Connors' all-time record of 109 tournament achievements. Djokovic already holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis, with 24 major championships to his name, two more than his long term competitor Rafael Nadal. One more Grand Slam title would not only extend his lead over Nadal but also allow him to surpass Margaret Court's record of 24 majors, making Djokovic the most successful Grand Slam champion in the history of tennis, male or female.

With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal frequently benched due to injuries, Djokovic stands as the last active member of the Big Three who dominated men's tennis for nearly two decades. Regardless of his age, Djokovic continues to contend at the highest level, showing no signs of slowing down. Nevertheless, the question of retirement looms large in his mind.

Novak Djokovic has officially clinched the title of the Oldest Player to ever hold the ATP World No. 1 Ranking

"To be honest, I'm kind of divided [on retirement]," Djokovic mentioned this in January. "There's always a part of me that is a young boy who just adores tennis and knows only about tennis and devoted his entire life to tennis, and that boy still wants to keep going. And then, on the other side, I'm the father of two children, and I'm away from my family, and every time I travel for an extended period, it breaks my heart. So I'm always thinking about, How long should I play, how many tournaments should I play, is it worth it?"

While the debate over retirement endures, Djokovic has another substantial milestone within his reach. Ken Rosewall presently holds the record for the oldest player to win a Grand Slam, achieving the feat at 37 years, one month, and 24 days old. With Djokovic’s 37th birthday, he has a reasonable chance to break this record as well, further cementing his legacy in the sport.

As Djokovic persists to chase these records, his place in tennis history becomes more secure. His victories are an evidence to his notable work ethic, resilience, and love for the game. Whether or not he decides to retire soon, Djokovic’s impact on tennis will be felt for generations to come. His journey is a source of inspiration for many, proving that age is just a number and that with passion and tenacity, anything is possible.

Cover Credits - BBC