Novak Djokovic is a player with most top-2 weeks.
Novak Djokovic has dominated the ATP rankings since 2011, with 428 no. 1 weeks and eight year-end no. 1 finishes. No one has matched Djokovic’s stats, and the Serb has numerous additional ranking achievements. The most recent came this week, when Novak completed his 597th week in the top two, leaving his great adversary Rafael Nadal at 596 and remaining alone at the top.
Carlos Alcaraz had the opportunity to keep two legends close by passing Djokovic and entering the top two with a quarter-final win in Cincinnati. However, the young Spaniard suffered an early loss, keeping the Serb in elite company and allowing him to set a record that will be difficult to beat in the future.
At 37 years and three months old, Djokovic is still one of the world’s best rivals, second only to Ken Rosewall as the oldest top-two player. Novak realized his full potential in 2007, winning his first Masters 1000 titles and reaching a Major final, becoming Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s closest rivals.
In the ensuing years, the Serb had several opportunities to separate the legends and break into the top two. However, he was unable to accomplish that level in February 2010, and his name was added to the list of top two players at 22.
Djokovic spent three months in the top two that year before concluding as the year’s third-ranked player, setting up his great run in 2011. Novak swept all opponents aside that year, settling into the top two in March and winning the ATP title in July following Wimbledon.
Djokovic began his era with 325 consecutive top-two weeks, nearly breaking Federer’s record. Novak accomplished tremendous things over those years until an elbow injury derailed his progress. Djokovic was unable to challenge his opponents at the top for the next 12 months, sliding out of the top-20 before embarking on his comeback in spring 2018.
Novak won Wimbledon and the US Open in the next months, returning to his rightful place and aiming for the ATP throne.
Novak Djokovic is the first player with 597 top-2 weeks.
Djokovic returned to the top two in October and added 169 weeks to his tally until June 2022, drawing closer to Nadal’s record.
Novak missed two Majors that year, but returned stronger in 2023, enjoying one of his best years and winning three Majors from four finals! Djokovic finished the year at the top for the eighth time since 2011, leaving many younger opponents behind.
Novak spent nearly the entire season in the top two, and he appears to be on track to match Rafa’s total in 2024. Djokovic accomplished this despite not playing at his best over the first five months of the season. Novak lost his Australian Open title against Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals after failing to produce a break point!
Jannik controlled the pace and took five breaks, defeating the legend in four sets and handing Novak his first loss in Melbourne after reaching the quarter-final stage. The Serb lost to Luca Nardi in Indian Wells and reached the Monte Carlo semi-finals before falling to Casper Ruud.
Djokovic did not play well in Rome and Geneva, losing to lower-ranked opponents and not looking well ahead of Roland Garros. The veteran endured difficulty in his right knee and passed two five-set marathons against Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo before quitting before the quarterfinals.
Novak moved quickly and had surgery on June 5, battling against the clock ahead of Wimbledon. Djokovic hit the gym a week later and arrived in London, hoping for a favorable draw in the first round. Novak advanced to the last 16, avoiding five-set matches and giving his knee more time to recover.
Djokovic did better against Holger Rune, winning in straight sets and obtaining a walkover from Alex de Minaur, allowing him to rest more before the semi-finals. Novak overcame Lorenzo Musetti in three tough sets, advancing to another Wimbledon final.
Djokovic faced Carlos Alcaraz in the title clash for the second straight year.
The young gun ousted the veteran 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 in two hours and 27 minutes, defending the trophy and keeping Djokovic with the runner-up prize.