Tennis: Djokovic says ‘surreal’ to break Graf’s world rankings record

DUBAI – Novak Djokovic said breaking Steffi Graf’s record of 377 weeks at No. 1 in the rankings on Monday is “surreal” and that he is proud to surpass one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The Serb will spend his 378th week at the top of men’s tennis competing in Dubai, where he will play his first tournament since capturing a 10th Australian Open crown and record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title in January.

“I still want more achievements. I’m driven by the goals. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else,” Djokovic told reporters in Dubai on Sunday.

“Of course, it’s surreal in a way to be that many weeks world No. 1, to match Steffi Graf, who is one of the all-time greats of our sport, both men and women. Just being amongst these legendary names is flattering. I’m very proud of it.”

Undefeated in all 12 matches he has contested so far this season, Djokovic said he has been pain-free for the past week, having recovered from a muscle tear in his left hamstring that he had sustained in Australia.

“I’m getting closer to a hundred per cent. Still not there in terms of the game itself, how I feel on the court. But the important thing is that there is no pain. I don’t have a hindrance to the way I move on the court,” declared the 35-year-old.

Djokovic will begin his Dubai campaign against Czech qualifier Tomas Machac on Tuesday, when the likes of Daniil Medvedev and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also expected to take the court.

In 2022, Dubai played host to Djokovic’s first event of the season after he had been deported from Australia over his vaccination status. A five-time champion in Dubai, he was defeated in the quarter-finals by Jiri Vesely.

Andy Murray was also supposed to be in Dubai but has pulled out due to a recurring hip issue. The Scot, who is one week older than Djokovic, is coming off a stunning week in Doha, where he battled through four three-setters before losing to Medvedev in the final.

It has been a theme for the British former world No. 1, who also produced some heroic displays at the Australian Open.

“What is happening now this year with his match points saved in literally every match he plays, the amount of hours he spent on the court since the beginning of the year, particularly in Australia, is just something you must admire and say ‘chapeau’ because of everything he has gone through with his hip,” said Djokovic of three-time Slam winner Murray.

Djokovic has also been paying attention to the recent exploits of Chinese players on the ATP tour.

There are two Chinese men ranked in the top 100 – Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen – with teenager Shang Juncheng not far behind.

“I’m happy for China’s tennis. It’s important that a country like China is doing well in men’s tennis, as well. For us globally, as part of tennis ecosystem, it’s great news,” Djokovic added. AFP