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By Sudipto Ganguly
(Reuters) – Novak Djokovic will realize one of his long-cherished goals on Monday when he eclipses Roger Federer’s all-time record for most weeks as the men’s world number one, holding the top ranking for the 311th week.
The 33-year-old Serbian climbed to the top of the ATP rankings for the first time in July, 2011 and had the Swiss maestro’s record of 310 weeks spent as the highest-ranked man in the sport on his radar.
“This is one of my two biggest professional goals,” Djokovic said last year. “To reach the record of, (and) surpass Roger’s record for longest No. 1 and win as many (Grand) Slams as possible.”
Djokovic is currently in his fifth stint as number one, having reclaimed the top spot from Spaniard Rafa Nadal in February last year.
The Serbian finished 2020 as the year-end number one for the sixth time, tying the record set by American great Pete Sampras, and won his 18th major title last month at the Australian Open.
His record-extending ninth triumph at Melbourne Park meant he was just two short of the men’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles, jointly held by Federer and Nadal.
Djokovic has made it clear that his only focus will now be on winning more Grand Slams and said he will make necessary adjustments to his playing schedule to achieve that goal.
MORE MAJORS
“Whether I think about winning more slams and breaking records? Of course, I do,” the Serbian said after his Australian Open triumph.
“And most of my attention and my energy from this day forward, until I retire from tennis, is going to be directed at majors, trying to win more major trophies.”
Federer, who will turn 40 is August, has not played since losing to Djokovic in the semi-finals of the 2020 Australian Open and will make his return in Doha this week after undergoing two knee surgeries last year.
The Swiss said he enjoyed competing against Djokovic and felt they brought the best out of each other.
“Against the best players you know you have to bring your best game. Otherwise, it will not be enough,” Federer said during an Instagram Live session with Qatar Tennis on Saturday.
“Especially against somebody like Novak, who can go into a mode where he is not going to miss. He can defend very well and be aggressive, he has a very good balance. That’s why he is one of the greatest players ever.
“It has been a pleasure to play against him and he’s one of the players who have made me a better player. It’s great to have him in the game.”
While Djokovic has a firm grip on top spot, there will be a new number two on March 15 in Russian Daniil Medvedev, who will climb one place to his career-best ranking to replace Nadal, who has not played since the Australian Open due to a back injury.
The 25-year-old Medvedev, the ATP Finals winner and Australian Open runner-up, will be the first player outside Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Andy Murray to be ranked in the top two since Australian Lleyton Hewitt in July, 2005.
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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