Novak Djokovic has climbed another summit, becoming the oldest man to be ranked singles No. 1 beating Roger Federer to the record.
The Serb turns 37 next month, and is now older than the Swiss legend was on his last day atop the ATP rankings in June 2018. Monday gives Djokovic 420 total weeks at that spot, extending another mark Federer — who was there for 310 weeks — had at one time before the 24-time grand slam singles champion Djokovic broke it.
Entering the Monte Carlo Masters clay-court tournament this week in his bid to defend his French Open title, the “old but gold” Djokovic had another No. 1 by his side. Doubles world No. 1 Rohan Bopanna.
Roger Federer at Wimbledon, a tournament he has won a record. eight times, last year. Getty Images
For the Indian star — who at 44 was already the oldest to hold the No. 1 rank in the world in doubles — experience counts a lot. For Djokovic it’s the unflinching dedication towards the game to be successful on the challenging ATP Tour.
“Tennis teaches us so many wonderful things. Experience wins and that is where I have got it,” Bopanna told Djokovic as the top-ranked players engaged in a fun chat at the Monte Carlo Masters, in a video posted by ATP.
The Serbian responded by saying it is not just all about experience. “I would say experience but also still being dedicated and devoted to the game every single day.
“I see him (Bopanna) in the gym for countless hours and also more hours with the physio, bit more than before (laughs) but it is amazing to share the Tour with you for so many years.
“What an incredible moment... It is great for Serbian and Indian tennis,” said Djokovic, whose title defence in Paris next month will be his first competitive action since his split from coach Goran Ivanisevic.
The French Open starts on May 26. And, while Djokovic has not played in India since featuring in the now-defunct International Tennis Premier League (held from 2014-2016), he added “hopefully we can do something in India soon”.
“We can play there, have not been to India for many years... To have tennis at high level of popularity in India is extremely important for our sport and you are contributing to that along with Sania Mirza, (Mahesh) Bhupathi and (Leander) Paes paved
the way,” he told Bopanna, who won the Miami Masters last month.
“We are old but gold,” Djokovic said, signing off on the conversation with a ‘Namaste’.
Playing his opening round on Tuesday, the Serb beat Roman Safiullin 6-1, 6-2 to advance to the Round-of-16.
On the ATP Tour, Jannik Sinner remained at No. 2 in Monday’s rankings, followed by Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, all in the same places as a week ago. There was no movement in the WTA women’s top-five either.