Top Five Longest Reigns by First-Time ATP World No. 1 Players

Achieving the ATP World No. 1 ranking is a dream shared by countless tennis players. Reaching the top spot is a testament to a player's talent, determination, and ability to win at the highest level. However, staying there is an even greater challenge—one that demands unwavering consistency, mental toughness, and resilience amid fierce competition.

The following five tennis players not only reached the pinnacle of the sport but also made a powerful statement with their initial reigns at the No. 1 position. Their impressive opening stints helped lay the foundation for legacies that continue to inspire the tennis world.

5. Novak Djokovic – 53 weeks

Novak Djokovic’s first stint as World No. 1 lasted 53 weeks, ranking him fifth all-time for longest opening runs at the top. He would go on to hold the No. 1 spot for an impressive 122 consecutive weeks at one point, and his total of 428 weeks as world No. 1 is the most in ATP history. He also holds the record for finishing as year-end No. 1 a remarkable eight times.

During his time at the top, Djokovic played a high volume of matches and maintained an outstanding win-loss record of 485–78 — a winning percentage of 86.1%. In April 2024, after reaching the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters, he became the oldest World No. 1 in ATP history at 36 years and 321 days.

4. Jannik Sinner – 54 weeks

Jannik Sinner made history in June 2024 by becoming the first Italian to reach the ATP World No. 1 ranking, overtaking Novak Djokovic shortly after the French Open. As the sport’s top-ranked player, Sinner successfully defended his Australian Open title at Melbourne Park and went on to claim his maiden US Open crown, further cementing his dominance.

Adding to his remarkable season, Sinner captured the Cincinnati Masters title upon his return to professional tennis after a three-month absence. Despite missing the Paris Olympics and being sidelined due to a suspension issued by WADA, Sinner maintained his No. 1 ranking—a testament to his consistency, resilience, and exceptional form over recent years.

3. Lleyton Hewitt – 75 weeks

Lleyton Hewitt was one of only two Australians to reach the World No. 1 ranking in men's tennis. While Pat Rafter became the first Australian to attain the ATP No. 1 spot, his reign lasted just one week—and he didn’t win a match during that brief period.

Hewitt claimed the top ranking after defeating Rafter on his way to winning the 2001 ATP Finals. This victory marked the beginning of an impressive 75-week stretch as World No. 1, out of a total of 80 weeks at the summit.

The Adelaide native also entered the record books as the youngest male player to reach World No. 1 at the time, achieving the feat at age 20. That record stood until 2022, when Carlos Alcaraz surpassed it by becoming No. 1 at just 19 years old after his US Open triumph.

2. Jimmy Connors – 160 weeks

Jimmy Connors became the third player to hold the ATP World No. 1 ranking since its inception in August 1973, following Ilie Năstase and John Newcombe. The American took over the top spot from Newcombe in July 1974 at just 21 years old, after a dominant season in which he captured 15 tour-level titles, including Wimbledon.

Connors' reign at World No. 1 was both impressive and enduring. He held the top ranking for a total of 268 weeks over his career and finished as the year-end No. 1 five times. His first stretch as No. 1 lasted 160 consecutive weeks, from July 29, 1974, to August 23, 1977, when he was eventually overtaken by Björn Borg.

1. Roger Federer – 237 weeks

Although Novak Djokovic ultimately surpassed Roger Federer with 428 total weeks at No. 1 compared to Federer’s 310, the Swiss maestro still holds a remarkable record: an unprecedented 237 consecutive weeks at the top spot during his first reign—a feat that remains unmatched and is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.

While ranked No. 1, Federer compiled an impressive 430–56 match record, translating to a winning percentage of 88.5%. He also achieved five year-end No. 1 finishes, underscoring his dominance over multiple seasons.

One of Federer’s most unique accomplishments is being the only player in history to win more than 100 matches at two different Grand Slam tournaments. He posted a 102–15 record at the Australian Open and an even more impressive 105–14 at Wimbledon—further cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Cover Credits - Tennis365