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Novak Djokovic: striving for records
Photo: HELMUT FOHRINGER / AFP
Tennis star Novak Djokovic will keep first place in the world rankings at the end of the year.
With this, the Serb has secured two records:
For the sixth time in his career, Djokovic finished a tennis season as number one, setting the record for the American Pete Sampras.
Sampras had closed the years from 1993 to 1998 as number one without interruption.
Djokovic also sets an age record for world number one.
At 33 years, seven months and nine days, he is replacing Rafael Nadal, who set the previous record at 33 years, six months and 28 days in 2019.
Djokovic has already set the records in November because competitor Nadal will not participate in the ATP tournament in Sofia next week.
As a result, he can no longer overtake Djokovic in the world rankings.
Djokovic wants more records
"Pete was someone I looked up to when I grew up," Djokovic said in a statement from the ATP.
"Setting your record is a dream come true."
He continues to strive to "become a better player, hopefully have more success and break more records in this sport," which he loves with all his heart.
A record that Djokovic is still aiming for belongs to Roger Federer.
During his career, the Swiss was in first place in the world rankings for a total of 310 weeks.
Djokovic, who overtook Sampras on this list in September, will enter his 294th week at the top of the world rankings on Monday.
If he defends his position by March 8, 2021, he could replace Federer.
Djokovic has won a total of 17 titles in Grand Slam tournaments in his career, and in early 2020 he won the Australian Open.
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