Novak Djokovic has faced one of the worst-ever starts to his season in 2024. His poor form this year has invited scrutiny from fans, experts, and media personnel alike, who are stating it’s quite hard to believe that Djokovic is yet to win a title this season. But does he stop breaking records? Recently, Novak Djokovic dethroned Roger Federer for yet another record, aging like fine wine.
He has broken the record of being the oldest player to be ranked world number one in PIF ATP Rankings history at the age of 36 years and 321 days young as of today. With this historic feat, the Serbian tennis star has now surpassed the Swiss Maestro’s previous record of 36 years and 320 days when he last held the top ranking almost six years ago.
HISTORIC❗
🇷🇸 @DjokerNole has broken the record for oldest player to be ranked #1 in ATP rankings history, at 36 years and 321 days young as of today. 💥🎉👏
Djokovic surpasses Federer's previous record of 36 years and 320 days when he last held the top ranking in 2018:
— TENNIS (@Tennis) April 7, 2024
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Novak Djokovic currently holds the record for the oldest player ever to be ranked world number one in not only ATP rankings but also in the history of the WTA rankings. Serena Williams previously held this record in the Women’s singles ranking at the age of 35 years and 230 days. Interestingly, Novak Djokovic first reached the Top 10 in men’s singles ranking at the tender age of 19 years in 2007 and climbed to the top just 4 years later.
World number one at the age of just 24? That’s quite an extraordinary achievement for a player coming from a lesser-known country in the world of the racket sport. After that, he went on to clinch several titles in his career, including a staggering 24 Grand Slam triumphs. But there’s that one thing that has always made his humongous trophy cabinet look incomplete.
Novak Djokovic has never won an Olympic gold medal in his career, be it singles or doubles, he came close on a few occasions. But was deprived of the ‘yellow metal’ every time. However, Roger Federer managed to fulfill his dream by winning a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He teamed up with Stan Wawrinka to win the doubles event that year. Will 2024 be the year for Novak Djokovic to match yet another record of Roger Federer?
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“The Olympics have always been a priority for me” – Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic won the bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But after that, there has been a series of disappointments in the Serbian camp. He finished fourth place in the 2012 London Olympics. And then was defeated in the first round at the Rio Olympics in 2018. Novak Djokovic had finished fourth at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. What lies ahead of him in the 2024 Paris Olympics?
Recently during an interview, Novak Djokovic said, “The Paris Olympics are very important – the Olympics have always been a priority for me. But in the last three or four Olympics, it’s not been possible for me to reach the later stages [the final].” However, he believes the situation is a bit different now and this is going to be his first Olympics on a clay court.
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Can Djokovic match Federer’s record by winning a gold medal at the Olympics this year?