Novak Djokovic can not stop gathering records and achievements! The Olympic champion stands in the top-2 at 37 years and two months, passing Roger Federer's accomplishment and following the leader Ken Rosewall. Entering the top-2 has always been challenging. However, the feat becomes even trickier when a player gets to a certain age, especially after the 34th birthday. Ken Rosewall, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic top the charts, standing in the top-2 after turning 36! The great Aussie achieved that in 1975 at 40, setting the record that will take some beating in the future. Roger Federer embraced his final top-2 week in October 2018, moving behind Rosewall at 37 years and two months. Rafael Nadal stood in the top-2 in January 2023 at 36 years and seven months, taking third place on the list before losing ground due to injuries. Novak Djokovic joined the party and passed his greatest rivals, keeping a spot in the top-2 a week before turning 37 years and three months.
Novak Djokovic, Paris 2024© Arturo Holmes / Staff - Getty Images Sport
The legend had not been at the top of his game this year ahead of Wimbledon, struggling to reach finals and score wins over the top-10 rivals. Novak embraced an incredible run in 2023, claiming three Major titles from four finals and distancing himself from Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic missed only a couple of top-2 weeks in 2024 despite a weaker run, matching Rafael Nadal's top-2 tally of 596! Novak wrapped up the 2023 season with the ATP Finals trophy, beating Sinner and Alcaraz and standing tall at 37! Djokovic could not find his A-game at the Australian Open in January, reaching the semi-final but falling to Jannik Sinner. Novak did not create a break point for the first time in completed matches at Majors. He saved a match point in the third set before falling in the fourth, propelling his rival into the title clash. The Serb rested until March, entering Indian Wells for the first time in five years. The former champion fell to Luca Nardi in the early stages and parted ways with Goran Ivanisevic.
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff - Getty Images Sport Novak Djokovic is the second-oldest top-2 player at 37 years and two months.
Djokovic reached the Monte Carlo semi-final, losing to Casper Ruud and still seeking his first top-10 win of the season. It did not come in Rome and Geneva, as the Serb traveled to Paris without form or confidence. The veteran felt the pain in his knee at Roland Garros and secured a place in the quarter-final following two marathon wins. Novak defeated Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo in five-setters, surviving but doing more damage to his troubled knee. Djokovic was forced to withdraw before facing Casper Ruud, undergoing surgery a day later and hoping to make a comeback at Wimbledon. Almost no one saw him competing in London, but the Serb presented his incredible physical and mental strength, entering the draw and making a reliable start. Djokovic played well in the first round before embracing challenging duels with Jacob Fearnley and Alexei Popyrin. Novak beat them in four sets, avoiding a decider and controlling the pain in his knee.
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Clive Brunskill / Staff - Getty Images Sport
Djokovic played better against Holger Rune, defeating the Dane in straight sets and moving into the quarter-final, his 15th at the All England Club. Novak received a walkover from Alex de Minaur, moving into the semi-final and resting his knee. The veteran used this gift nicely, producing another fine performance versus Lorenzo Musetti and ousting the young gun in straight sets for a place in the title clash. Carlos Alcaraz was too strong for Novak, scoring a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 win and defending the title. Djokovic failed to secure his 25th Major crown, but he did not feel disappointed, especially after undergoing surgery a month earlier. The Serb spent a couple of days with his family in Montenegro before embracing training sessions on clay, preparing for the Olympic Games in Paris. Chasing the only significant title missing in his collection, Novak scored six victories and earned the gold medal, completing the game of tennis after winning all 15 notable tournaments!
Carlos Alcaraz & Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff - Getty Images Sport
Djokovic ousted Matthew Ebden in the first round and embraced his 60th duel against Rafael Nadal in the second round. Novak was the favorite against his great opponent, and he showed that on the court, building a 6-1, 4-0 advantage in no time. Nadal bounced back, rattling off four games and leveling the score at 4-4. Novak stayed focused and grabbed the final two games, sealing the deal and moving on. The Serb beat Dominik Koepfer in the third round and set the quarter-final duel against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic won the opener before felling the pain in his troubled knee. Tsitsipas delivered two breaks, opening a 4-0 and a 5-2 advantage and creating three set points on serve. Novak kept his composure, denying them and pulling the break back to erase the deficit. The Serb prevailed in a tie break, moving into the semi-final and remaining on the title course.
Novak Djokovic, 2024 Paris Olympics© Matthew Stockman / Staff - Getty Images Sport
Djokovic played well against Lorenzo Musetti, breaking him five times in a row and arranging the title clash with Carlos Alcaraz. Eager to avenge the Wimbledon final defeat and claim the gold medal for Serbia, the veteran bested the young gun 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 50 minutes, prevailing after an incredible battle and writing history books. They defended all 14 break points and embraced two tie breaks. Novak kept his composure in both, sealing the deal in style and clinching an elusive title. Djokovic missed two Masters 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati. He will lose a spot in the top-2 if Carlos Alcaraz reaches the Cincinnati quarter-final. However, the Serb does not care about ranking that much anymore, achieving almost every notable record in that area.
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