Novak Djokovic sets all-time record for weeks at No 1

Novak Djokovic kisses the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after beating Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win the Australian Open at Melbourne Park on Sunday, February 21. Getty

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev after the trophy presentation. AP

Novak Djokovic celebrates victory at Melbourne Park. Getty

Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his ninth title at Melbourne Park. Getty

Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Daniil Medvedev. AFP

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after beating Daniil Medvedev of Russia in straight sets. AFP

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev after the match. Getty

Spectators cheer Novak Djokovic after his victory in Australia. Reuters

Novak Djokovic after clinching match point against Daniil Medvedev. AFP

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning a point against Daniil Medvedev. Getty

Daniil Medvedev bounces his racquet off the ground. Getty

Novak Djokovic plays a forehand at Melbourne Park. Getty

A puzzled Daniil Medvedev during the match. Getty

Novak Djokovic applauds a Daniil Medvedev shot. AFP

Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in action. Reuters

An exasperated Novak Djokovic in Melbourne. AFP

Daniil Medvedev smashes his racquet off the ground. AFP

Daniil Medvedev's mangled racquet. Getty

Novak Djokovic in action at Melbourne Park. EPA

Daniil Medvedev at full stretch trying to return a Novak Djokovic shot. AFP

Novak Djokovic has set a new record of 311 weeks as world No 1, surpassing the record he had jointly held with Roger Federer.

Djokovic, 33, also has another of Federer's records in his sights after winning his 18th Grand Slam at last month's Australian Open, two shy of the Swiss legend's mark.

With Federer turning 40 in August, the Serb has time on his side. He is also a year younger than Rafael Nadal, who also has 20 majors.

"It really excites me to walk the path of legends and giants of this sport," said Djokovic, in a statement released by the ATP.

"To know that I earned my place among them by following my childhood dream is a beautiful confirmation that when you do things out of love and passion, everything is possible."

Djokovic has spent 88 weeks at world No 1 across two different stints.

He reclaimed the top ranking from Nadal in February 2020 and finished as year-end No 1 for the sixth time, tying the record set by Pete Sampras.

"Novak's many achievements in tennis are nothing short of extraordinary," said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi. "Among them this record may stand as his single most impressive ... Novak has redefined in our sport."

Federer, who returns to action in Doha this week after more than a year out to recover from two knee operations, slipped out of the top five on Monday to sixth. His place was taken by Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Djokovic first became reached the summit of the ATP rankings at the age of 24 on July 4, 2011, the day after winning Wimbledon for the first time.

Only a six-month injury absence in 2017 saw his ranking plunge, all the way to 22 the following summer.

He was back at the top again by November and with the exception of November 2019 until January last year, when Nadal reclaimed pole position, he has been rock solid.

Few would bet against Djokovic, who in 2016 was the first man to break the $100 million prize money barrier, ending his career with more Slams than Federer and Nadal.

In head-to-heads, he leads Federer 27-23 and has won all six of their last meetings at the majors, including 2019's epic Wimbledon final where he saved two match points.