Novak Djokovic Re-Writes History

Image © Danielle Parhizkaran

✍️ Written by :

Izel Kohener

🗓 Updated :

Aug 8th 2023

A Record-Breaking Paris Masters Win for Novak Djokovic

Records seem to keep flowing for Novak Djokovic as he made history again following a record-breaking Rolex Paris Masters win over the weekend. The Serbian star continues to dominate the incredible era of men’s professional tennis by breaking multiple records, strengthening his case as the ultimate GOAT of tennis.

Djokovic Secures a Record 7th Year-End No. 1 Ranking

Novak Djokovic secured the year-end No.1 Fed-Ex ATP Ranking for a record 7th time after defeating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in Saturday’s Rolex Paris Masters semi-final. Following his 3-6, 6-0, 7-6(5) win against Hurkacz in his 71st Masters semi-final, Djokovic broke a tie and moved 1 year-end No. 1 finishes ahead of American Pete Sampras. The US legend has completed 6 straight year-end No.1 finishes between 1993-1998. The Serbian star previously finished the year top in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, and 2020, achieving the feat in 7 of the past 11 years. Djokovic’s arch-rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both finished year-end No.1 5 times.

Additionally, Djokovic, back in March, eclipsed Roger Federer’s record of 310 weeks as No.1 and will finish 2021 with 348 weeks at the top ranking. The 34-year-old also keeps the record as the oldest man to finish year-end No. 1.

The Big Three Still Dominates the Top Rank

Djokovic’s accomplishment also marks the 17th time within the past 18 seasons that the year-end No.1 has been held by Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, or Roger Federer. Nadal has ended the year as the top rank five times during the years 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019 while Federer, who also ended the year No1. 5 times, during the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009. The only player who ended the year as No. 1 outside of The Big 3 was Andy Murray in 2016.

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ATP TOUR YEAR-END NO. 1

Year Player

2021 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2020 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2019 Rafael Nadal (Spain)

2018 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2017 Rafael Nadal (Spain)

2016 Andy Murray (Great Britain)

2015 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2014 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2013 Rafael Nadal (Spain)

2012 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2011 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

2010 Rafael Nadal (Spain)

2009 Roger Federer (Switzerland)

2008 Rafael Nadal (Spain)

2007 Roger Federer (Switzerland)

2006 Roger Federer (Switzerland)

2005 Roger Federer (Switzerland)

2004 Roger Federer (Switzerland)

2003 Andy Roddick (U.S.)

2002 Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)

2001 Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)

2000 Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil)

1999 Andre Agassi (U.S.)

1998 Pete Sampras (U.S.)

1997 Pete Sampras (U.S.)

1996 Pete Sampras (U.S.)

1995 Pete Sampras (U.S.)

1994 Pete Sampras (U.S.)

1993 Pete Sampras (U.S.)

1992 Jim Courier (U.S.)

1991 Stefan Edberg (Sweden)

1990 Stefan Edberg (Sweden)

1989 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)

1988 Mats Wilander (Sweden)

1987 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)

1986 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)

1985 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)

1984 John McEnroe (U.S.)

1983 John McEnroe (U.S.)

1982 John McEnroe (U.S.)

1981 John McEnroe (U.S.)

1980 Bjorn Borg (Sweden)

1979 Bjorn Borg (Sweden)

1978 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)

1977 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)

1976 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)

1975 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)

1974 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)

1973 Ilie Nastase (Romania)

Novak Djokovic Wins his 37th ATP Masters 1000 Tournament

Just after a day clinching a 7th year-end No.1 finish, Novak Djokovic won his 37th ATP Masters 1000 title on Sunday at the Rolex Paris Masters, after beating the Russian Daniil Medvedev who denied him of a calendar grand-slam 2 months ago, avenging his U.S. Open Final loss with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. This was the first Paris final since Stefan Edberg played Boris Becker in 1990 final to feature the top 2 players in the Fed-Ex ATP Rankings.

Djokovic’s 37th win also broke the tie with 20-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal for most Masters 1000 titles. The Serbian is also the only man to win each of the 9 ATP Masters 1000 titles once, and the only one to accomplish it twice.

ATP MASTERS 1000 TITLE LEADERS

Position Player Masters 1000 Titles

1) Novak Djokovic (SRB) 37

2) Rafael Nadal (ESP) 36

3) Roger Federer (SUI) 28

4) Andre Agassi (USA) 17

5) Andy Murray (GBR) 14

6th Rolex Paris Masters Win for Djokovic

Novak Djokovic came to the match looking to avoid ending the season without a Masters title for the first time since 2017 and was able to down defending champion Medvedev to win a record-extending 6th Paris Masters title. This is Djokovic’s 5th title in 2021.

Djokovic’s Incredible Grand Slam Performance in 2021

The Serbian sensation went 27-1 at the Grand Slam’s this year, winning the Australian Open against Daniil Medvedev, Roland Garros against Stefanos Tsitsipas, and the Wimbledon against Matteo Berettin. With one victory away from completing the calendar Grand Slam in 2021, the world number 1 got denied by Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final. The only players to accomplish a calendar Grand Slam in men’s tennis are Don Budge (1938) and Rod Lever (1962, 1969).

The Serbian became the first man since Rod Laver to win each major twice after winning Roland Garros in June. He also won his 6th Wimbledon in July drawing him level on a record 20 Grand Slams with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. All Big 3 are expected to play in the upcoming Australian Open in January.

Djokovic turns his attention to the upcoming Nitto ATP Finals

Novak Djokovic will now turn his attention to the Nitto ATP finals, which will take place at Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy from 14 to 21 November 2021. This is his 14th appearance at the season finale, where he will be officially crowned with the year-end ATP Tour No.1 trophy. The Serbian will attempt to secure a record equalizing 6th Nitto ATP Finals trophy. Roger Federer currently holds the record for most victories at the season finales (6). Hop on your favorite sports betting apps to see live odds for the ATP finals!

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