ATP | A record 378 weeks at the top for Novak Djokovic

(Paris) 378: this is the number of weeks now spent by the Serbian Novak Djokovic in place of world No.1, an absolute record ahead of the German Steffi Graf (377), after the ATP ranking published on Monday.

“Djoko”, who recovered the crown thanks to his 22^e Grand Slam title won in Australia last month – Rafael Nadal’s record equaled -, had reached the top of the world hierarchy for the first time in 2011. He had then just won his first Wimbledon at the expense of the same Nadal.

While he must participate this week in the Dubai tournament – his first since his 10^e title in Melbourne -, the Serb is currently ahead of another Spaniard, the young (19) Carlos Alcaraz.

Winner in Buenos Aires in mid-February then finalist this Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Alcaraz is only 200 points behind Djokovic and enters the Acapulco tournament with the status of seeded N.1.

But the winner of the last United States Open could suffer a new setback due to pain in his right leg felt during his lost final in Brazil against Briton Cameron Norrie: he must decide by Tuesday on a possible package in Mexico, after those of the Masters at the end of last season and in Melbourne.

The American Taylor Fritz (25), winner of the Derlay Beach tournament on February 19, won two places and joined the top 5.