The G.O.A.T or ‘Greatest of all time’ debate in men’s tennis found a new angle after Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer came on level terms for the first time. For Novak Djokovic, the Grand Slam race just became harder, as he chases the record as well as that of most weeks as world number one.

However, at the moment, Djokovic is only concerned about the latter. He has surpassed his idol, Pete Sampras, for second place on the coveted list. At the same time, he is eyeing another record of Sampras – that of ending the year as world number one for the sixth time.

That would also give Djokovic more weeks at the top at the end of 2020, as he chases Federer’s record. As he prepares to kickstart his campaign at the ATP Vienna Open, Djokovic spoke about his immediate goal and tying his idol for another massive feat.

What Novak Djokovic thinks of the G.O.A.T debate

“I leave the GOAT debate to others, it is not my place… I am trying to keep the no 1 ranking, Sampras has been my idol growing up and it would be amazing to tie his record,” Djokovic said on the eve of the Austrian ATP 500 event.

Djokovic took a major step after his loss in the French Open 2020 finals. He decided to skip the Masters 1000 event in Paris, instead picking the Vienna Open. His only reason to do so is to secure the year-end world number one position.

The title in Vienna gives him 500 additional points and a confirmation of the top position in the ATP rankings. If he can do so, Djokovic can break Federer’s record of 319 weeks at the helm of the rankings as early as March 2021. The current ranking freeze system also ends in March.

Eyes on the big prize

“This temporary ranking system is on until March, for me personally it is great because I have won a lot of points. It would be a different story for me, but it was the same for everybody,” Djokovic said further.

He now has his sights set on Federer’s record. “I hope that I can reach historic no 1 in March, but everything is unpredictable,” Djokovic added.

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If Djokovic is unable to win in Vienna, Rafael Nadal will hope to catch up with him with a strong run in Paris starting next week. It will all come down to the ATP Finals then where the world number one will be decided. But for now, the ball will be in Djokovic’s court, literally and figuratively.

Read more – Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem Face Tough Paths in a Blockbuster Draw at ATP Vienna Open