Novak Djokovic Thumps Roger Federer and Idol Pete Sampras to Script Two Records in 2021

The last decade on the ATP tour has been dominated at Grand Slams by world no.1, Novak Djokovic. Even though Nadal and Federer managed to win slams, Djokovic was the single most commanding factor that made the rest of the pack intimidated.

In an incredible season that witnessed the Serb won three major titles along with two other events at Belgrade and Paris, Djokovic produced a near-perfect end to the year.

Novak Djokovic dethroned Roger Federer to register highest no. of weeks as world no.1

During the process, the 20-time major champion also surpassed two great records set by Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. Djokovic has always maintained that he plays to be the best and this year proved that he is almost there.

First of all, the Serbian star overcame Federer’s record of the highest no. of weeks of being world no.1. The Swiss Maestro was on top for a total of 310 weeks and when Djokovic started the week of 8th March as the world no.1, he walked past Federer into his 311th week.

The Serb is currently in his 352nd week as the top-ranked singles player.

Another crucial record that Novak broke later this year involved Pete Sampras. The American, who initially set the record for most slam titles(14), was later surpassed by the Big-3. But, Sampras had entered the record books for being the year-end world no.1 for six years in a row.

Djokovic surpassed idol Pete Sampras by ending up as year-end world no.1 seven times

Even though Djokovic couldn’t be the year-end world no.1 consecutively, the Serb surpassed Sampras’ record when he cemented his position by winning the Paris Masters and avenging his US Open final defeat against Daniil Medvedev.

As the 2022 Australian Open is upon us, it looks unclear whether Djokovic will play the event or not. But, it appears as if the world no.1 will dominate the ATP tour next as young guns like Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas try to fight him and get some titles under their belts.

Sliding the attention off Djokovic, this year has also been phenomenal for Daniil Medevedev. The Russian ended a 15-year lock on the no.2 spot when he became the first player other than Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray to capture the place.

All in all, it has been a terrific season Novak Djokovic as well as a bunch of next gen players who are gearing up to disrupt the Serb’s momentum next year.

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