Djokovic Finishes at No. 1 in ATP Rankings for Record-Extending Eighth Time

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during a Davis Cup semi-final tennis match between Italy and Serbia in Malaga, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during a Davis Cup semi-final tennis match between Italy and Serbia in Malaga, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP)
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Djokovic Finishes at No. 1 in ATP Rankings for Record-Extending Eighth Time

Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during a Davis Cup semi-final tennis match between Italy and Serbia in Malaga, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP)
Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during a Davis Cup semi-final tennis match between Italy and Serbia in Malaga, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. (AP)

Novak Djokovic earned the year-end No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings for the eighth time on Monday, adding to a record he already held.

Djokovic won three of the four Grand Slam tournaments — the Australian Open in January, French Open in June and US Open in September — to raise his career total to a men's-record 24 and was the runner-up at the other, Wimbledon. He went 56-7 this season while leading the tour with seven titles, including at the ATP Finals last month.

The 36-year-old from Serbia regained the top ranking from Carlos Alcaraz, who edged him in a five-set final at the All England Club in July.

Alcaraz finished 2023 at No. 2 after the two men swapped No. 1 back-and-forth repeatedly this year.

Iga Swiatek claimed the WTA's year-end No. 1 ranking for the second consecutive year by winning the WTA Finals last month. Swiatek, who won her fourth career major championship at the French Open, overtook Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion and runner-up to Coco Gauff at the US Open. Gauff finished at No. 3, followed by Elena Rybakina at No. 4 and Jessica Pegula at No. 5.

Djokovic eclipsed his own mark for the oldest player to top the ATP at the end of a season; he was 34 in 2021.

His eight year-end No. 1s put him two ahead of previous record-holder Pete Sampras, who did it six times. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal each finished at No. 1 five times, as did Jimmy Connors.

Daniil Medvedev closed 2023 at No. 3, followed by Jannik Sinner at a career-best No. 4, Andrey Rublev at No. 5, Stefanos Tsitsipas at No. 6, Alexander Zverev at No. 7, Holger Rune at No. 8, Hubert Hurkacz at No. 9 and Taylor Fritz at No. 10.

Alcaraz and Rune are both 20, marking the first time two men that young both ended a season in the top 10 since 2000, when Marat Safin, 20, was No. 2, and Lleyton Hewitt, 19, was No. 7.

There are three 19-year-olds in the top 100: No. 36 Arthur Fils, No. 71 Luca Van Assche and No. 97 Alex Michelson, an American who jumped up 504 spots after ending last year at No. 601.

The United States is the country with the most men in the top 20, four: Fritz, No. 13 Tommy Paul, No. 16 Frances Tiafoe and No. 17 Ben Shelton.



Alcaraz’s Respect for Nadal Grows after Clay Swing Takes Its Toll

Tennis - ATP 500 - Barcelona Open - Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain - April 20, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during the final against Denmark's Holger Rune. (Reuters)
Tennis - ATP 500 - Barcelona Open - Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain - April 20, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during the final against Denmark's Holger Rune. (Reuters)
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Alcaraz’s Respect for Nadal Grows after Clay Swing Takes Its Toll

Tennis - ATP 500 - Barcelona Open - Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain - April 20, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during the final against Denmark's Holger Rune. (Reuters)
Tennis - ATP 500 - Barcelona Open - Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain - April 20, 2025 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in action during the final against Denmark's Holger Rune. (Reuters)

Carlos Alcaraz believes fatigue contributed to the leg issue that troubled him in his Barcelona Open final defeat and the Spaniard said the grueling nature of Europe's claycourt swing gave him even more reason to marvel at Rafa Nadal's success.

After winning the Monte Carlo trophy last week, Alcaraz was seeking a third title in four years at Barcelona but the 21-year-old's nine-match winning run on clay was snapped by Dane Holger Rune, who sealed a 7-6(6) 6-2 victory on Sunday.

Alcaraz took a 2-1 lead in the second set but then needed a medical timeout to deal with the leg problem and was unable to turn the match around, leaving some fans worried about his fitness ahead of the Madrid Open, which begins on Wednesday.

"That's what happens when you play so many matches and have so few days to rest. It's so demanding and you have to give 100% every day," Alcaraz said.

"Having played a tournament like Monte Carlo and arriving in Barcelona with few days to adapt is really tough."

Alcaraz said he received kind words from retired 22-times Grand Slam champion Nadal, the last man to win Monte Carlo and Barcelona in consecutive weeks in 2018.

"I bow at the feet of Rafa because of what he did week after week. You have to respect that," Alcaraz said of the 14-times French Open winner.

"We admire Rafa for what he's done on this swing. Winning everything consecutively is impossible. Once you experience it, you appreciate what Rafa did much more and how difficult it is to be 100% physically and mentally week after week."

Alcaraz, who will defend his Roland Garros title when the Grand Slam begins on May 25, was confident he could shake off his latest injury.

"We'll have two days off ... I'll talk with my team, we'll do some tests, but I'm confident it won't affect me in Madrid."