…… Novak Djokovic is back on top of the world, both literally and figuratively, after his incredible straight-sets victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday to lift his 22nd Grand Slam title.
Djokovic has now made the biggest jump of any man to the top of the rankings and will have his sights set on Steffi Graf’s record for the most weeks No.1 in history.
Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic created a unique piece of history on Monday as he returned to world No. 1 once more following his record-equaling triumph in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday, Eurosport reports.
Djokovic, 35, produced a stellar display as he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the men’s final to win his 22nd Grand Slam title, putting him level with Rafael Nadal.
And with that win Djokovic returns to the top of the men’s rankings and in doing so will record the biggest jump any man (since 1973) has ever made to get back to the summit.
Four men (Carlos Alcaraz, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and Carlos Moya) have all made the jump from No. 4 to No. 1 but no-one has ever gone from five (which is where Djokovic was) to the top spot.
He will now turn his sights to Steffi Graf’s record for the most weeks as world No. 1 for either men or women, which is 377.
If Djokovic can maintain his status as world No.1 through the week of February 27 then he will break that record.
Then attention will once again turn to the Grand Slam race, with Djokovic level with Nadal on 22 and Roger Federer out of the picture following his retirement.
Despite his injury woes in Melbourne, Nadal will remain favourite when it comes to Roland-Garros, his home away from home, but Djokovic will feel confident for Wimbledon and the US Open.
