Top five tennis players with most weeks at World No.1 in history

Novak Djokovic surpassed to make the record his own on February 27, 2023.

Tennis has seen some legendary male and female athletes over the years. These players have won multiple major titles and held the World's No.1 rank in their careers. An interesting aspect that separates some of the legendary names from the rest of the crop is their longevity in a gruelling sport like tennis.

Reaching the top and staying at the top are two different things. While some manage to secure the World No.1, iconic players go on to retain their place. Tennis has seen sensational individuals that went on to stay at the top rank for many weeks.

Recently, Novak Djokovic set a new record for staying at the top for the most number of collective weeks. Here is a look at how many weeks the Serbian has stayed World No.1 and where others rank in the top five:

5. Roger Federer - 310 Weeks

Roger Federer was the World No.1 for 310 weeks during his playing career. The legendary player from Switzerland was at the top spot for 237 consecutive weeks, which is a record. The winner of the 103 ATP singles titles is regarded as one of the best male tennis players of all time.

Roger Federer won the Australian Open six times, the French Open once, the Wimbledon eight times and the US Open five times in his glittering career.

4. Serena Williams- 319 Weeks

Many regard Serena Williams as the greatest female tennis player of all time from the United States of America. She is a legend of the game and a figure who receives a lot of respect for her dominance in women’s tennis. She was World No.1 in women’s singles for 319 weeks in total, the fourth highest of all time.

In terms of Grand Slam wins, Williams won 23 of them. She won the Australian Open seven times, the French Open three times, the Wimbledon seven times and the US Open six times.

3. Martina Navratilova - 332 Weeks

Martina Navratilova is one of the finest female tennis players to ever grace the sport. She is an inspirational figure to hundreds of modern-day female players who aspire to replicate her feats. Interestingly, apart from staying at the top for 332 weeks in women’s singles, Navratilova was World No.1 for 237 weeks in doubles.

Martina Navratilova won an incredible 59 Grand Slam titles across singles, doubles and mixed doubles categories. 

2. Steffi Graf - 377 Weeks

Steffi Graf held the record for staying as World No.1 for the most number of weeks until recently. She was at the top for a whopping 377 weeks, making her one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

Steffi Graf holds several records to her name, including being the first tennis player to achieve the Golden Slam by winning all four major Grand Slams and the Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. She won 23 Grand Slam titles (22 in singles and one in doubles).

1. Novak Djokovic - 400 Weeks

Novak Djokovic holds the record for staying at the top as the World No.1 for the most number of weeks. He broke Steffi Graf’s record and has retained the top spot for 378 weeks. Considering that the Serbian is still actively playing, he will likely extend his record and aim to break the 400-week mark. 

As of February 2023, Novak Djokovic has 10 Australian Open titles which is a record. In addition, he has two French Open titles, seven Wimbledon titles and three US Open titles.