378 is the number of weeks now spent by the Serbian Novak Djokovic in place of world No. 1. An absolute record ahead of the German Steffi Graf (377), after the publication on Monday of the ATP ranking.
“Djoko”, who recovered the crown thanks to his 22nd Grand Slam title won in Australia last month, had reached the top of the world hierarchy for the first time in July 2011. He had then just won his first Wimbledon at the expense of by Rafael Nadal. In March 2021, the Serb had already surpassed Roger Federer and his 310 weeks at the top.
While he must participate this week in the Dubai tournament, his first since his 10th title in Melbourne, the Serb is currently ahead of another Spaniard, the young Carlos Alcaraz (19 years old). The latter is only 200 points behind in the current ranking on his eldest and approaches the Acapulco tournament with the status of seeded n°1. He could therefore slow down Novak Djokovic, if his right leg pain felt during his lost final this Sunday in Rio against the Briton Cameron Norrie (5-7, 6-4, 7-5) does not force him to abandon . Alcaraz must decide by Tuesday on a possible package in Mexico.
The next step of the Serbian champion to enter a little more into the legend is known from Melbourne. Tied with Nadal in the number of Grand Slam victories (22), he will be alone in front of the men if he wins at the next Roland-Garros, the garden of his great rival. Then it will be a matter of beating Serena Williams and Margaret Court, who have 23 and 24 Grand Slam titles respectively.
Monday’s ATP rankings : 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 6980 pts; 2. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 6780; 3. Stephen Tsitsipas (GRE) 5805 ; 4. Casper Rudd (NOR) 5515; 5. Taylor Fritz (USA) 3660; 6. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 3405; 7. Daniel Medvedev (RUS) 3320; 8. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 3315; 9. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3245; 10. Holger Rune (THE)