Novak Djokovic has today achieved another historic milestone in his career, overtaking Stefanie Graf’s record for most weeks by a men’s or women’s tennis player as World No. 1.

The Serbian already held the record for the most weeks as No. 1 in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings (since 1973) when he surpassed Roger Federer’s mark of 310 weeks in March 2021. Now he has moved past Graf by beginning his 378th week on top of tennis’ mountain. 

Djokovic, currently on 6,980 points in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, returned to No. 1 last month for the first time since last June by winning a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown.

“Of course with your love and great strength that you have given me over the years, I’ve managed to achieve many fantastic achievements throughout my career,” Djokovic said in a video for the fans. “The most recent one [is] breaking the record [with] 378 weeks on No. 1 [in the] rankings, surpassing one of the greatest, most legendary tennis players — both men and women — that ever played, Steffi Graf. So I’m flattered, obviously extremely, extremely proud and happy for this achievement.”

ALL-TIME WEEKS AT NO. 1 (MEN AND WOMEN)

No. 1 Player 

Total Weeks 

1) Novak Djokovic
378

2) Stefanie Graf
377 

3) Martina Navratilova
332

4) Serena Williams
319 

5) Roger Federer
310

The 35-year-old, who is competing at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships this week, first rose to No. 1 aged 24 years and 43 days on 4 July 2011, and spent a personal-best 122 consecutive weeks at the summit of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings between 7 July 2014 and 6 November 2016.

Djokovic is one of 28 players in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings to hold the top spot. He finished 2021 as year-end No. 1 for a record seventh time (also 2011-12, ’14-15, ’18 and ’20).

Graf, who hit the top of the women’s rankings for the first time in 1987, won 107 titles in her career, including 22 Grand Slam crowns.