Follow us on Google Discover Novak Djokovic has played 1,394 matches in his career to date, many of which will go down in history…
The Serbian legend made his ATP Tour debut back in 2004, at the Croatia Open, at the age of 17.
21 years on, Djokovic continues to impress on tour, and made a winning start in Athens at the all-new Hellenic Championship on Tuesday.
Photo by Costas Baltas/Anadolu via Getty Images
Speaking to the press ahead of the Hellenic Championship tournament, Djokovic was asked 15 questions about his career.
One of those questions saw Djokovic pick the best match he’d ever been a part of.
Novak Djokovic says the 2019 Australian Open final was the best match he’s played
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Djokovic chose one of his 37 Grand Slam finals as one of the best matches of his career.
“Finals of Australian Open 2012 against [Rafael] Nadal, the longest Grand Slam final ever,” he said.
“And against Roger [Federer] in 2019, the finals of Wimbledon, those were the best matches I was ever a part of.”
On both occasions, Djokovic won in a deciding fifth set to clinch the title.
2012 Australian Open F – Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal (5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5)2019 Wimbledon F – Novak Djokovic defeated Roger Federer (7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12)
He did, however, name a different final as the best match he ever played.
“But the best match I ever played would probably be the finals of the Australian Open against Nadal in 2019,” he said.
Djokovic produced one of the best performances of his career in Melbourne six years ago in the 2019 Australian Open final.
Dismantling one of his greatest rivals, Djokovic beat Nadal in straight sets 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, to win his seventh title on Rod Laver Arena.
The win saw Djokovic strengthen his position as world number one, a spot he has held for longer than any other player in tennis history.
Novak Djokovic says he feels ‘a bit lonely’ as the player with the most weeks at number one
Djokovic has spent a record 428 weeks as number one, 118 more than second-placed Roger Federer.
RankNameCountryWeeks at number one1Novak DjokovicSerbia4282Roger FedererSwitzerland3103Pete SamprasUSA2864Ivan LendlCzechia2705Jimmy ConnorsUSA2686Rafael NadalSpain2097John McEnroeUSA1708Bjorn BorgSweden1099Andre AgassiUSA10110Lleyton HewittAustralia80ATP most weeks at number one
When asked about the record, Djokovic explained how he feels about being the only player to have spent 400+ weeks atop the world rankings.
“It feels great, but it also feels a bit lonely,” he said.
“You feel like the hunted one; it changes the perception and the approach.
“Obviously, it’s the ultimate achievement, being number one in any sport, in any profession, it’s something I dreamed of when I was a kid, and winning Wimbledon.
“When you achieve that, you understand that there is a different dimension and approach of staying there, all of a sudden you have to defend the position, rather than chasing it, so it’s a great feeling, but at the same time, you want to stay there, so at times you feel defensive, because you want to hold on to it.
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“It’s really about the mentality of how you approach; it’s important to feel like you always have to create, keep going, keep winning, and you’re a part of that same group of people that are chasing something, a title, or a position.
“Once you start thinking that you’re the number one and everybody wants to take the position away from me, you create this unnecessary stress and pressure on yourself.”
Djokovic has certainly dealt with the pressure well throughout his career, although it seems unlikely that he’ll add to his 428 weeks at number one.
The Serb is currently ranked fifth on the ATP Tour, but trails the world number one and two by over 6,000 points.
Official ATP Top 101. Jannik Sinner (11,500 points)2. Carlos Alcaraz (11,250 points)3. Alexander Zverev (5,560 points)4. Taylor Fritz (4,735 points)5. Novak Djokovic (4,580 points)6. Ben Shelton (3,970 points)7. Alex de Minaur (3,935 points)8. Felix Auger-Aliassime (3,845 points)9. Lorenzo Musetti (3,685 points)10. Casper Ruud (3,235 points)
Playing a reduced schedule, it will be tough for Djokovic to make his way back to the top, but if he’s proven anything in his career, it’s that you should never write him off…
Looking to continue his charge towards a 101st ATP title in Athens, Djokovic will return to play Nuno Borges in the quarterfinals on Thursday, November 6.