Novak Djokovic says he is “blessed and grateful” to have set a new record for the most weeks spent at the world No 1 spot, while his wife took a moment to hail her husband’s “tennis love affair.” Today, Djokovic entered his 378th week at the top spot.
The previous record was held by the great Steffi Graf, who spent a total of 377 weeks at the top spot. “Blessed and Grateful,” Djokovic wrote on Instagram.
Djokovic’s wife Jelena also shared a message.
“Celebrating Novak’s tennis LOVE AFFAIR that has been going on for quite some time. And everyone knows about it (and wife doesn’t mind at all lol) @djokernole. NOVAK IS THE BEST TENNIS PLAYER FOR THE LONGEST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF TENNIS,” Jelena Djokovic wrote on Twitter.
Djokovic on surpassing Graf
Last week, Djokovic held a press conference in Belgrade.
At the very start of the press conference, Djokovic took a moment to reflect on his path to surpassing Graf. “I’m glad that I reached Steffi Graf’s record. I subordinated everything to this sport and I’m very lucky to have a great team of people around me, not only professional, but also family, who have been giving me their unconditional support throughout their lives and helped me to today stand in front of you with records and achievements.
I say this to remind myself of where I started from and how this journey had to be carried out and experienced! At this stage of my career, I feel that I have to put in even more effort and everything on and off the court to keep up with the young players,” Djokovic said in Belgrade last week.
Now, Djokovic will try to win his sixth Dubai title this week. In the Dubai first round, Djokovic plays against Tomas Machac. Djokovic captured his last Dubai title in 2020, just before the pandemic.
