“Requires Sustained Excellence”: ATP Chairman Hails Novak Djokovic for His Historic Achievement

After reaching the quarterfinals of the Vienna Open, Novak Djokovic was virtually assured of ending the 2020 season as the top-ranked player. However, on Friday, Djokovic was confirmed as the year-end No.1 after his arch-rival Rafael Nadal decided not to participate at the Sofia Open. The Roland Garros champion had a slim chance of denying Djokovic the No.1 ranking.

It is a record sixth time Djokovic has ended the year as World No.1. He equaled his childhood hero Pete Sampras’ record and has already broken the American’s tally of 286 weeks spent at No.1 spot.

He is moving closer to Roger Federer‘s record of 310 weeks. If Djokovic stays top-ranked until next March, he will overtake the Swiss Maestro in the race of most weeks spent atop the rankings.

In an interview, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi congratulated Djokovic and hailed his historic achievement. Previously, the 17-time Grand Slam champion achieved the year-end No.1 spot in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, and 2018.

“To finish the year as No.1 is one of the most impressive achievements in our sport, one which requires sustained excellence across the season. To see Novak achieve this for the sixth time and match Pete’s record is simply incredible, and he continues to cement his place in the history books,” said ATP chairman.

Novak Djokovic’s stunning season

The Serbian began the year by lifting the Australian Open title for a record-breaking eighth time. He followed up by winning the Dubai championships. After the season resumed in August, Djokovic won Cincinnati Masters. Later, he had an unfortunate incident at the US Open 2020, where he was disqualified in the fourth round after he hit the ball at a line judge.

He came back strong to win his thirty-sixth Masters title at the Italian Open. However, Rafael Nadal ended Djokovic’s supreme run by trouncing him at the Roland Garros final. Overall, Djokovic has an astonishing 39-3 win-loss record this season.

World No.1 will compete at the ATP World Tour Finals later this month and aim for a record sixth title at the O2 arena in London.