Novak Djokovic has added another record to his legacy after breaking Steffi Graf's marker for the most weeks spent as the world No 1.
Djokovic has now entered his 378th week on top of the men's rankings. The Serbian star already had the honour of the most time spent there in the male game, but the overall record belonged to legendary German player Graf, who retired in 1999 with 22 Slam titles to her name.
The hopes of Djokovic overhauling her took a hit last year, when he missed both the Australian and US Open tournaments over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. The absences saw him slip down the rankings, a notion enhanced by his Wimbledon win not yielding any ranking points amid a ban on Russian and Belarusian players.
But his return to Melbourne last month yielded more glory, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. And with previous No 1 Carlos Alcaraz having suffered for form and fitness this far in 2023, Djokovic has capitalised.
"I'm flattered, proud and happy," the 35-year-old was quoted as saying by BBC Sport. He also paid tribute to Graf, who he described as "one of the greatest, most legendary tennis players that ever played."
Djokovic initially topped the world order after his first Wimbledon win back in July 2011, and between July 2014 and November 2016 was No 1 for 122 consecutive weeks. That run however, is only good enough for fourth in that list, with the retired Roger Federer holding that honour on 237 weeks.
But Djokovic could soon be searing past Graf on another front. The win down under was his 22nd Grand Slam victory, levelling both the 53-year-old and previous men's record holder Rafael Nadal.
Only Margaret Court (24) and Serena Williams (23) have now won more Slams than the trio. Djokovic will have the chance to add to his tally at the French Open in May and June.
His participation at Flushing Meadows, and all US tournaments, remains in doubt though. He has applied for a special exemption into the States for the upcoming Masters 1000 tournaments in California and Florida, with the country's travel laws currently barring him from entry without being jabbed.
