Novak Djokovic tied Roger Federer‘s tennis record for most weeks as ATP world No. 1 on Monday, holding the top spot for the 310th week.
Djokovic’s ninth Australian Open title last month guaranteed that he will surpass Federer’s record on March 8.
Having reached another career milestone, Djokovic had said he would look to adjust his calendar and make passing Federer’s and Rafael Nadal‘s record of 20 Grand Slam titles his top priority.
“Now, after achieving the historic No. 1 for the longest weeks at No. 1, it’s going to be a relief for me because I’m going to focus all my attention on Slams mostly,” Djokovic said after his title triumph at Melbourne Park.
“When you are going for No. 1 ranking, you kind of have to be playing the entire season and you have to be playing well, you have to play all the tournaments.
“My goals will adapt and will shift a little bit, which means that I will have to adjust also my calendar — not have to, but I will have an opportunity to do that which, as a father and a husband, I’m really looking forward to that.”
This is Djokovic’s fifth stint atop the world rankings. The 33-year-old reclaimed the top spot from Nadal in February last year and finished as the year-end No. 1 for the sixth time — tying the record set by Pete Sampras.