Paris (AFP)

"Today is a great day", savored Monday in a cryptic message on social networks the Serbian Novak Djokovic, who has become the record holder for the number of weeks spent in the place of world No. 1 in tennis.

At 33, Djokovic officially began his 311th week on Monday at the top of the world tennis hierarchy, overtaking Roger Federer (310).

The Swiss still clearly retains the record for the number of consecutive weeks spent on the world throne: 237, against 122 for the Serbian who, in this statistical category, is also still behind the American Jimmy Connors (160) and the Czechoslovakian Ivan Lendl ( 157).

"I don't mean to say that I am the tallest because I think it is not possible to compare between generations. But I am very proud to be in + conversation + with all the great tennis players, with all the legends of our sport, "Djokovic commented in French on France 3.

The organizers of the Wimbledon tournament, which Djokovic has won five times, were among the first to react on Monday: "Dream of a lifetime fulfilled. Congratulations," they tweeted.

The Serbian player has already announced that having achieved this record, which was one of his two main goals, he could now devote himself entirely to the second: the Grand Slam title record jointly held by Federer and Rafael Nadal with twenty major trophies. each.

Djokovic is 18 after his ninth title in February at the Australian Open.

- Nadal problem -

"I can say that the main priority is to win the most Grand Slam titles", he confirmed on France 3. "I try to organize my program to be successful in Grand Slam and particularly at Roland- Garros. But we have a big problem called Rafael Nadal! "He said, bursting into laughter.

Because beating the Spaniard on Parisian clay "is perhaps the biggest challenge we have in tennis in general," said Djokovic who suffered Rafa's law last October in the final of the French Major, unable to prevent his opponent from winning his 13th Parisian title.

Djokovic's record in the ATP rankings made headlines in Serbian media on Monday which unanimously hailed the feat, with state television (RTS) opening its evening newspaper with a brief interview with him.

"I am immensely happy and proud of this success which is also the success of the whole nation, it is my feeling," he said.

"The two main goals in tennis are, without doubt, the number of Grand Slams won and the number of weeks spent in number 1. I have the honor of having achieved one of the two, I will now devote myself to second, "he insisted.

"Nole", who suffers from a deficit of popularity in the four corners of the world compared to Federer and Nadal, assured his compatriots "to feel at all times the enormous support" given to him "by his people and the region", which for him is a source of inspiration and motivation.

Moreover, the municipality of Belgrade broadcast on Monday evening on the facade of the Town Hall images of the best moments of the career of the world No. 1.

In addition, messages addressed to Djokovic were posted on billboards in the Serbian capital, on which one could read "Bravo Nole", "311", "the best player of all time".

In addition, in honor of their hero, the main buildings in Belgrade were illuminated on Monday evening in the colors of the Serbian flag.

© 2021 AFP