mtenis.com.pl

Serbian moves clear of Nadal with 36th Masters 1000 title

Three weeks after completing his second Career Golden Masters at the Western & Southern Open, Novak Djokovic created more ATP Masters 1000 history at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia on Monday.

The World No. 1 rallied from a double break down in the first set to defeat Diego Schwartzman 7-5, 6-3 and claim a record-breaking 36th Masters 1000 crown. Djokovic entered the event level with 35-time Masters 1000 titlist Rafael Nadal, but has now moved ahead of the Spaniard with his fifth Rome trophy.

Most ATP Masters 1000 Titles

Rank Player Titles
1 Novak Djokovic 36
2 Rafael Nadal 35
3 Roger Federer 28
4 Andre Agassi 17
5 Andy Murray 14
Djokovic has now won 31 of his 32 matches this year. The 33-year-old has won four trophies from five events in 2020, following title runs at the Australian Open (d. Thiem), the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (d. Tsitsipas) and the Western & Southern Open (d. Raonic).

This is the first of two milestone moments for Djokovic today. When the new FedEx ATP Rankings are run later this evening, the Serbian will begin his 287th week at the top of the FedEx ATP Rankings to pass his idol Pete Sampras’ total of 286 weeks.

Most Weeks As World No. 1 In The FedEx ATP Rankings (when latest standings are run)

Rank Player Weeks At No. 1
1 Roger Federer 310
2 Novak Djokovic 287
3 Pete Sampras 286
4 Ivan Lendl 270
5 Jimmy Connors 268
Djokovic has also moved ahead of Nadal to become the oldest champion in tournament history. The 33-year-old improves to 5-5 in Rome championship matches, one year after falling to a 32-year-old Nadal in last year’s championship match.

This is the second straight year that Djokovic has defeated Schwartzman at the Foro Italico. The 17-time Grand Slam champion overcame the Argentine in three sets to advance to last year’s championship match. Djokovic is unbeaten in five ATP Head2Head matches against Schwartzman.

Appearing in his first Masters 1000 final, Schwartzman was attempting to become the fifth Argentine to lift a Masters 1000 trophy. Schwartzman became the shortest Masters 1000 finalist in history (5’7”) with back-to-back victories against nine-time champion Nadal and #NextGenATP Canadian Denis Shapovalov.

Schwartzman would have cracked the Top 10 in the FedEx ATP Rankings for the first time if he had captured the Rome trophy. As a result of Djokovic’s win, Rome semi-finalist Shapovalov will make his debut in the Top 10.


Schwartzman made a fast start on Centrale, charging around the court and playing with great variety to outmanoeuvre his opponent and establish a double-break advantage. After hitting a number of unforced errors in the opening three games, Djokovic responded quickly. The World No. 1 began to dictate rallies with his forehand and recovered both breaks to level the score at 3-3.

Djokovic was unable to convert a set point at 5-4, when Schwartzman stepped inside the court to strike a forehand winner. But the Serbian was handed three further opportunities at 6-5 as Schwartzman committed a series of errors. Djokovic took the third of those chances, dragging the Argentine across the baseline with a series of heavy forehands to extract another error.

After trading breaks to open the second set, Djokovic made the crucial move at 3-3. The 81-time ATP Tour titlist held serve to love and struck two inspired winners: a forehand lob and a backhand winner down the line to earn a love service break in the following game. Djokovic earned three consecutive championship points at 5-3 and took his third opportunity with a backhand drop shot.

Djokovic receives 1000 FedEx ATP Ranking points and earns €205,200 in prize money. Schwartzman gains 600 ATP Ranking points and collects €150,000.

Did You Know?
Schwartzman was attempting to join 2016 champion Andy Murray and 2017 winner Alexander Zverev as only the third player outside of Djokovic and Nadal to lift the Rome title since 2005. Djokovic and Nadal have combined to win 14 of the past 16 editions of this event.

ATPTour.com pays tribute to the Serbian star who breaks a No. 1 milestone

Novak Djokovic has today started his 287th week at No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings and passed his childhood idol Pete Sampras (286 weeks) for second place in the all-time list of most weeks in top spot.

“Pete was my childhood idol growing up, so of course surpassing his record is very special to me,” said Djokovic, who today won the Internazionali BNL d'Italia title for the fifth time. “I always looked up to him, and I wished to be mentally strong and resilient as he was, especially in the big tournaments, in the big moments. He's one of the most mentally composed and toughest players ever to hold a racquet. Being a World No. 1 for so many weeks proves how tough he was.”

The Serbian, who began his fifth stint at the summit of men’s professional tennis on 3 February 2020, is now 24 weeks away from breaking Roger Federer’s record of 310 weeks at No. 1. If Djokovic continues to hold onto the top spot, he will pass Federer's record on 8 March 2021.

“This is one of my two biggest professional goals,” said Djokovic. “To reach the record of, [and] surpass Roger's record for longest [time at] No. 1 and win as many [Grand] Slams as possible. I have been saying that before, so I'm working towards that. I'm at a good place right now, in a good position. Hopefully I can stay healthy and continue to play well.”

ALL-TIME WEEKS AT NO. 1

No. 1 Player
Total Weeks
Longest Streak
1) Roger Federer
310
237 weeks
2) Novak Djokovic
287
122 weeks
3) Pete Sampras
286
102 weeks
4) Ivan Lendl
270
157 weeks
5) Jimmy Connors
268
160 weeks
Sampras, who first rose to No. 1 on 12 April 1993, spent a total of 11 stints in top spot, with his longest run of 102 weeks between 15 April 1996 and 29 March 1998. In his current period at No. 1, which has been impacted by this year’s global COVID-19 pandemic, 33-year-old Djokovic has compiled an 18-1 match record, including three tour-level titles.

“In our sport, winning [the] most Grand Slams and being No. 1 for as long as possible are [the] two biggest goals,” said Djokovic, who has 17 Grand Slam championship crowns – third on the all-time list behind Rafael Nadal (19) and Federer (20). "I think Roger and Rafa would agree with that.

“We all have our own journeys, our own trajectories and careers that are very unique and very specific, but at the same time, we have this era that we have been playing in together that brings us together. I think this is definitely one of the best eras of tennis, and I'm grateful to be part of such an era with these two guys. They are incredible champions on and off the court… Let's see. The race is of course there, and hopefully Rafa and I can stay healthy, and with Roger back [in 2021], it's going to be great for our sport.”

Djokovic, who currently has 11,260 points at No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, leads second-placed Nadal (9,850) by 1,410 points in the battle to finish as the 2020 year-end No. 1 for a record-equalling sixth time. Djokovic, the year-end No. 1 in 2011-12, ’14-15, ’18, will be bidding to match his childhood idol, Sampras, the 1993-98 year-end No. 1.

MOVING UP THE NO. 1 LADDER - Djokovic has started his 287th week at No. 1 and now only record-holder Federer is ahead of him for most weeks spent at No. 1.

No. 1 Player
Total Weeks
Target Date
1) Roger Federer
310
8 March 2021
DJOKOVIC AT NO. 1 - Take a closer look at Djokovic's match wins, Top 10 and finals record during his five stints at No. 1.

Stints At No. 1
W-L Record
vs. Top 10
Finals Record
4 July 2011-8 July 2012
63-12 (.840)
18-9 (.667)
4-4
5 November 2012-6 October 2013
62-9 (.873)
18-6 (.750)
5-2
7 July 2014-6 November 2016
167-17 (.908)
60-9 (.870)
21-5
5 November 2018-3 November 2019
58-10 (.792)
13-4 (.857)
5-2
3 February 2020-present
18-1 (.947)
2-0 (1.000)
3-0
Totals
368-49 (.882)
111-29 (.793)
38-13

World No. 1 reflects after claiming his 36th ATP Masters 1000 title

Novak Djokovic won a record-breaking 36th ATP Masters 1000 title at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, but the World No. 1 is not ready to name himself the favourite for Roland Garros next week.

“It’s [Rafael] Nadal. Even though he lost this week, I still think a lot of people will agree, he's the No. 1 favourite and the record that he has there, the history of his results, you just can't put anybody in front of him,” Djokovic said. “Definitely Diego showed that Nadal is beatable on clay. The conditions that they played on, obviously heavy clay, not much bounce, humid, night session, we are going to have that as well in Paris.

“I’m pretty sure that he does not prefer that to a high bounce. I know he likes the high bounce. He likes the hot and warm and fast conditions, where he can use his spin a lot. Let's see. It's going to be interesting. I think even though he's the No. 1 favourite, I think there are players that can win against him there.”

Watch Rome Final Highlights:


Diego Schwartzman defeated Nadal in the quarter-finals at the Foro Italico en route to his first Masters 1000 final. But Nadal has been nearly unbeatable on the Parisian clay, lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires 12 times and tallying a 93-2 record at the clay-court Grand Slam.

“I cannot hope for Rafa not being in the finals,” Djokovic said, cracking a laugh. “I can hope for myself being in the final and fighting for the trophy. That's probably the player that has the highest chance of being in the final in the French Open, and any tournament, for that matter."

For now, Djokovic is happy with winning his second Masters 1000 title since the ATP Tour resumed last month. This week is the Serbian’s 287th atop the FedEx ATP Rankings, moving him past his idol, Pete Sampras, for second place on the all-time list. If Djokovic maintains his position at World No. 1, he will surpass Roger Federer's record of 310 weeks on 8 March 2021.

“The historic No. 1 ranking goal is something that is on the horizon, and I'm going to give my all and very best that I can possibly give in the next period to achieve that,” Djokovic said. “I can't [look] too far [ahead], and I don't know what years to come will bring for me and just tennis and the world in general.”

Watch Djokovic's Drop Shots Against Schwartzman:


While history is of the utmost importance to Djokovic, he knows he must stay in the moment to play his best tennis.

It wasn’t always easy for the 33-year-old in Italy, where he lost a set in the quarter-finals and battled through tough opening sets in the third round, semi-finals and final. But Djokovic found a way to play his best tennis in crucial moments to triumph for a fifth time at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

“I feel good,” Djokovic said. “Of course this gives me even more confidence that is absolutely necessary for a Grand Slam.”

Serbian reflects on No. 1 record after winning Rome title
Will Novak Djokovic finish his career with more weeks atop the FedEx ATP Rankings than anyone in history?

After breaking a tie with Pete Sampras on Monday for second-most weeks at World No. 1 by reaching 287 weeks, the Serbian now has his sights set on Roger Federer. The Swiss star has spent a record 310 weeks in the top spot.

“Of course I'm aware of the amount of weeks,” Djokovic said after winning a record-breaking 36th ATP Masters 1000 title at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia. “I'm getting closer. I'm in a very good position, I feel like. I have also been playing really well and been healthy, which is great.”



You May Also Like: Djokovic Passes Sampras With 287th Week At No. 1 In FedEx ATP Rankings
If he does not relinquish World No. 1 between now and then, Djokovic can pass Federer’s mark on 8 March 2021. He currently has a 1,410-point lead over World No. 2 Rafael Nadal, who under the current 22-month system can’t gain any points at Roland Garros because he won the tournament last year.

Making history has long been one of Djokovic’s greatest motivators, and reaching Federer is on his mind. However, he is staying in the moment and focussing on what is under his control.

“The historic No. 1 ranking goal is something that is on the horizon,” Djokovic said. “I'm going to give my all and very best that I can possibly give in the next period to achieve that.

“I can't [look] too far [ahead] and I don't know what years to come will bring for me and just tennis and the world in general.”

Watch Live

Although Djokovic is closing in on the major milestone, he knows how difficult it is to maintain not just the top spot, but a place among the world’s elite.

“Being a top player of the world, top five of the world, it requires a lot of consistency, requires a lot of determination, a lot of sacrifice throughout the year,” Djokovic said. “It's not enough to play well one month a year, two months a year. You have to play well the entire year in order to be one of the best players in the world.

“So that's probably the ultimate challenge we have in our sport, to be No. 1 in the longest season in sports.”

Djokovic is the top seed at Roland Garros, which begins Sunday. The Serb is chasing his 18th Grand Slam title, which would move him within one of Rafael Nadal's haul of 19 and closer to Federer's record of 20. Nadal seeks a record-extending 13th Roland Garros crown. Federer will not play again in 2020 following two surgeries this year on his right knee.

Djokovic won Roland Garros in 2016 when he defeated Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals and Andy Murray in the final.

Serbian begins quest for 18th Grand Slam title

Eight days after clinching his fifth Internazionali BNL d’Italia title in Rome, Novak Djokovic took no time to recover his best level at Roland Garros on Tuesday.

The World No. 1 won 61 per cent of his return points (44/72) to breeze past Mikael Ymer 6-0, 6-2, 6-3 on the new Court Philippe-Chatrier, proving too consistent for his opponent as he recorded his 16th consecutive first-round victory at the Paris major.

One of the most notable features of Djokovic's win was his use of the drop shot, a tactic used regularly during his Rome title run. After the match, the five-time year-end World No. 1 recognised that he may have used the shot one too many times, but spoke of the importance of utilising the tactic to keep his opponents on their toes.

“I think it's a great variety shot, the dropshot. I think it's important tactically to have it and to use it at the right time so that you can keep your opponent always guessing what the next shot is,” said Djokovic.

“I may have played too many today, I agree. Maybe I exceeded what I should have played. But I think it worked well in the moments when I needed to get the point I did. And I thought that I kept my opponent today on the back foot constantly, because I felt comfortable to hit really any shot, being aggressive or coming to the net or mixing it up.”

With his victory against Ymer, Djokovic improved to 32-1 this year. The Serbian has clinched four titles from five events in 2020, including a record-extending eighth Australian Open trophy in January.

Djokovic is chasing his 18th Grand Slam crown this fortnight. The Serbian is currently in third place on the Grand Slam titles leaderboard, two trophies behind Rafael Nadal and three short of record holder Roger Federer.

Grand Slam Titles Leaderboard

Rank Player Titles
1 Roger Federer 20
2 Rafael Nadal 19
3 Novak Djokovic 17
4 Pete Sampras 14
5 Roy Emerson 12
Djokovic is also attempting to become the first player in the Open Era — and only the third man in history — to capture multiple titles at each of the four major championships. Australians Roy Emerson and Rod Laver are the only men to have previously achieved the feat.

Djokovic will face Ricardas Berankis of Lithuania in the second round. The 30-year-old saved all six break points he faced to beat Hugo Dellien 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 on Court 11. Djokovic owns a 2-0 ATP Head2Head record against Berankis.

“Obviously these conditions are different than what we are used to here at Roland Garros… I think it's quite suitable to my style of the game,” said Djokovic. “I actually enjoyed myself on the court today.

“I think I played really well. A few hiccups here and there, but I think generally the game is there. I'm ready physically, mentally, emotionally to go deep in the tournament. Hopefully I can have another successful year here in Paris.”

Playing under the roof, Djokovic made a rapid start to the match. The 33-year-old took his groundstrokes up the line to rush Ymer and mixed up play with regular drop shots to keep his opponent off balance. Djokovic landed 10 winners and committed just one unforced error in the opener, which lasted just 20 minutes.

Djokovic Ymer Infosys

Visit the Infosys Match Centre at RolandGarros.com

After trading breaks at 1-1 in the second set, Djokovic regained his focus to win four straight games. The 2016 champion closed the set with a love service hold, serving and volleying on set point to move one set from victory.

The drop shots continued to flow from Djokovic’s racquet, with varied success, in the third set. The 17-time Grand Slam champion made the crucial move at 3-3, breaking serve in an extended rally with a driven crosscourt backhand winner. Djokovic moved up the court to strike a forehand winner up the line on match point.

Ymer was making his second appearance in the Roland Garros main draw, following his run to the second round on his Grand Slam debut last year. The Swede, who competed at last year’s Next Gen ATP Finals, owns a 6-7 tour-level record this year.