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Novak Djokovic US Open 2021

Novak Djokovic chasing history as he starts 339th week as world number 1


Novak Djokovic sits as world number one for the 339th week of his career, moving the Serb closer to achieving new milestones in the months ahead.

Djokovic was defeated by Daniil Medvedev in US Open final earlier this month to finally end his attempt at completing calendar Grand Slam, and the 34-year-old admitted after the defeat he is uncertain whether he will play again in 2021.

Even so, Djokovic has started his 339th week as world number one due to the huge lead he accumulated throughout his stunning 2021 season.

Djokovic is now just 39 weeks from the all-time record (men’s and women’s) for most weeks at world number one, a record currently held by Steffi Graff (377 weeks). The Serb already holds the men’s record after passing Roger Federer’s mark of 310 earlier this year.

US Open champion Medvedev has an outside shot of ending 2021 as ATP year-end world number one, even if Djokovic remains top of the world rankings.

ATP rankings as of 20 September:

1. Novak Djokovic (SER)

2. Daniil Medvedev (RUS)

3. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)

4. Alexander Zverev (GER)

5. Andrey Rublev (RUS)

6. Rafael Nadal (SPA)

7. Matteo Berrettini (ITA)

8. Roger Federer (SUI)

9. Dominic Thiem (AUS)

10. Casper Ruud (NOR)

11. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)

12. Denis Shapovalov (CAN)

13. Hubert Hurkacz (POL)

14. Jannik Sinner (ITA)

15. Diego Schwartzman (ARG)

16. Pablo Carreno-Busta (SPA)

17. Cristian Garin (CHI)

18. Roberto Bautista-Agut (SPA)

19. Reilly Opelka (USA)

20. Gael Monfils (FRA)


Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.