Novak Djokovic joins the elite: 850 top-10 weeks and counting

A day after conquering his first Olympic Games gold medal, Novak Djokovic kicked off his 850th week in the top-10. Novak became the third player to achieve that since the beginning of the ATP ranking in 1973, joining his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the exclusive list. Federer leads the pack with 968 top-10 weeks, followed by Nadal’s 912. Novak has to spend over two more years in the elite company to match Roger, which is not an unrealistic scenario. At 37, Djokovic can still chase notable titles, playing in the Wimbledon final and edging Carlos Alcaraz in the Paris Olympics gold medal clash. Also, the Serb is motivated to extend his career and compete in Los Angeles in four years! At 37 years and two months, Djokovic is the fourth-oldest top-10 player after Ken Rosewall, Roger Federer and Rod Laver, having an excellent chance to pass The Rocket by the end of the season. Novak cracked the top-10 17 and a half years ago, showing incredible consistency and earning almost every notable ranking record.

Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Djokovic’s first professional title came in 2003 at 16, wrapping up the year inside the top-200. Novak made further progress in 2004 and debuted at Majors at the 2005 Australian Open as a qualifier. The Serb secured a place in the top-100 and passed more rivals on the ATP ranking list in 2006 following his first ATP titles and 40 wins on his tally. Novak reached his first Masters 1000 final in Indian Wells in March 2007, losing to Rafael Nadal but entering the top-10 before his 20th birthday. Djokovic played his first tournament as a top-10 star in Miami and lifted the trophy, kicking off his incredible journey at notable events that still shines. Novak established himself as one of the world’s best players, battling against Roger and Rafa before leaving them behind following a historic run in 2011. The Serb embraced 555 consecutive top-10 weeks until November 2017, earning the sixth-longest streak since 1973. Novak struggled with an elbow injury in 2017 and dropped out from the elite company after over a decade.

Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Francois Nel / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Novak Djokovic is spending his 850th week in the top-10.

Djokovic needed the opening five months of the 2018 season to regain his form, conquering Wimbledon in July and returning to the top-10. Novak is moving closer to his 300th consecutive top-10 week during the current streak, battling against Nadal, Federer and the younger opponents and becoming an undisputed GOAT. Djokovic spent a year on the ATP throne between November 2018 and November 2019. Also, he added more no. 1 weeks to his tally between February 2020 and February 2022, passing Federer’s record and becoming a player with most no. 1 weeks. Novak battled with Carlos Alcaraz in 2023, with two rivals taking the throne from each other a couple of times. Djokovic broke the rival’s resistance after the US Open, securing his eighth year-end no. 1 honor and earning more tennis history. Novak became the first player with 400 no. 1 weeks, embracing a record that will take some beating in the future.

Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Djokovic had a stellar run in 2023, winning three Major titles from four finals and distancing himself from Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. The Serb could not follow that pace in 2024, especially in the opening five months. Novak lost the Australian Open semi-final to Jannik Sinner, struggling in three sets and failing to generate a break point for the first time in completed matches at Majors. The legend could have played better in the upcoming events, failing to reach the final or notch a top-10 triumph. To make things worse, Novak injured his right knee at Roland Garros following five-setter wins over Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo. Djokovic passed two obstacles but withdrew ahead of the quarter-final duel with Casper Ruud, undergoing surgery on June 5 and raising concerns ahead of Wimbledon. Like many times before, Novak displayed outstanding mental and physical power, entering the draw with protection over his knee and reaching the title clash!

Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Clive Brunskill / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Djokovic passed a couple of challenging rivals in the opening week and took down the young guns Holger Rune and Lorenzo Musetti en route to the title clash, his first of the season. Novak fell to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets, struggling to match the rival’s movement and strokes. Djokovic took a couple of days off in Montenegro and returned to the clay court ahead of the Olympic Games, his ultimate goal in 2024. Novak defeated Matthew Ebden, Rafael Nadal and Dominik Koepfer en route to the quarter-final at Roland Garros. The Serb felt the pain against Stefanos Tsitsipas, struggling in the second set but performing a comeback en route to a straight-sets win. Seeking his first win in the Olympic Games semi-final, Djokovic took down Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-2 for a place in the gold medal clash.

Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff – Getty Images Sport

Novak broke Lorenzo five times in a row, controlling the pace from the closing stages of the opening set and arranging another Carlos Alcaraz clash. Two great opponents battled for two hours and 50 minutes, pushing each other to the limits in a memorable duel. There were no breaks after they saved all 14 break points, introducing two tie breaks. The more experienced player controlled the pace in both, firing up his forehand and winning the only notable title missing in his collection. Djokovic will have to defend 3000 ATP points in Cincinnati and New York. If he maintains a high level, we should see him in the year-end top-10 for another year. Novak is spending his 850th top-10 week, and we will see him in the ‘Club 900’ in July next year if he enters enough tournaments and maintains a high pace at the most notable ones.