Novak Djokovic starts another push toward 400 No. 1 weeks

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Novak Djokovic could not play the 'Sunshine Double,' staying away from the season's opening Masters 1000 events like 12 months ago. Thus, Novak had no points to defend in Indian Wells and Miami, and the pressure was on Carlos Alcaraz. The young gun had to go all the way in Miami for the second straight year to keep the ATP throne, failing to achieve that and pushing Djokovic in front. Thus, Novak started his 381st week as world no. 1, remaining among the world's best players 16 years after getting there in 2007! Djokovic is enjoying his eighth reign on the ATP throne, becoming the sixth player to achieve that and matching Rafael Nadal and Ivan Lendl.

With 381 world no. 1 weeks and seven year-end no. 1 years, Novak owns the ranking milestones that will take some beating in the future. Also, the Serb feels motivated to chase more notable titles and records in the upcoming years. If Djokovic spends 19 more weeks on the ATP throne, he will achieve mind-blowing 400 weeks as world no. 1, the number that will take some beating in the future! The Serb skipped six notable events in 2022 due to his vaccination status and missed 2000 ATP points for winning Wimbledon. 

Novak Djokovic started his eighth world no. 1 reign on Monday.

However, Novak still finished the season in the top-5 and got himself in a position to chase the ATP throne at the start of 2023. Djokovic conquered Adelaide after fending off a match point against Sebastian Korda in the final and wished for more at the Australian Open. The Serb injured his left leg in Adelaide and did not look good at the start of his Australian Open campaign. However, Novak recovered and stormed over his opponents from the fourth round to advance into the title clash. Djokovic faced Stefanos Tsitsipas and scored a 6-3, 7-6, 7-6 victory in two hours and 56 minutes for his 22nd Major trophy and the seventh world no. 1 reign. Novak lost it to Alcaraz when a teenager claimed the Indian Wells title and restored it after Miami. Djokovic will enter the Monte Carlo Masters as the top seed and fight for the ATP throne with Alcaraz if they both reach the final. The Serb experienced an early loss in Monte Carlo a year ago and will seek a better run next week, already training in the Principality. 

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/kp8FOLd

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