Novak Djokovic surpasses Roger Federer as oldest World No. 1 in ATP Rankings history

The Serbian is in his 419th week as the top ranked men’s singles player.

On the eve of the Monte Carlo Masters 2024, Novak Djokovic officially becomes the oldest ATP World No. 1 at 36 years and 321 days, surpassing Roger Federer’s record of 36 years and 320 days. The Swiss legend was last World No. 1 on June 24th, 2018. The Serbian first rose to the World No. 1 spot in July 2011 and kept the top spot for 420 weeks overall, more than double that of Nadal’s 209 weeks as World No. 1.

Should Novak Djokovic win in Monaco, it would be a record-extending 41st ATP 1000 title. Djokovic’s 40th ATP Masters title came at the Paris Masters in 2023. It was a year in which the 36-year-old went on a record-breaking spree.

He won his 24th Grand Slam title and fourth US Open trophy to become the oldest male player to win at Flushing Meadows. One more Grand Slam trophy will push him into the all-time lead for most major wins – male or female and one ahead of Margaret Court.

Novak Djokovic claimed the historic 24th major by defeating Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3 in New York to draw alongside Court for most Grand Slam singles titles in tennis history.

A title run in Monte Carlo would also make the Serbian a member of the hundred title club among the men. Roger Federer, with 103 titles, and Jimmy Connors, with 109, are the only two men to have achieved this milestone in the Open Era. 

Currently, Djokovic has 98, trailed by Rafael Nadal at 92. The Djokovic-Nadal duo are the only active players with over 90 tour-level titles to their name.

The Serbian also won his seventh ATP Finals in Turin last season, putting him one ahead of Roger Federer.

One record that will be out of reach of the Serbian will be Federer’s 237 consecutive weeks as World No. 1. Federer was on top of the ATP rankings from February 2nd, 2004, to August 17th, 2008, before being replaced by Nadal as World No. 1.

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