New historic record for Novak Djokovic: by qualifying Saturday 6 November for the final of the Masters 1000 in Paris at the expense of Hubert Hurkacz, the Serbian made sure to finish the year N.1 world for the 7th year, a more than Pete Sampras.
Since his professional debut in 2003, Djokovic, 34, has finished at the top of the world hierarchy in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2020 and therefore 2021.
This season, he notably won the first three Majors (Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon) and played the final of the US Open to try to achieve an extremely rare Grand Slam.
One of its main objectives
He was prevented from doing so by Daniil Medvedev (2nd world) who, until Saturday, could still deprive him of the record for the number of years finished as N.1.
Djokovic did not hide it, this record was one of his great goals, like the record for Grand Slam titles that he shares with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (20).
His two great rivals finished five seasons on the world throne: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009 for the Swiss, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2017 and 2019 for the Spaniard.
"That's the main reason I'm here," agreed Nole on Friday after qualifying for the semi-finals.
To achieve this, he beat Hurkacz (10th) on Saturday 4-6, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5).
Sunday, November 7, at the end of his 54th Masters 1000 final (record), he will have the opportunity to clinch a new record on his own with a 37th title in this category of tournaments just below the Major, i.e. a more than Nadal.
He will have to beat Daniil Medvedev, the world number 2.
With AFP
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