Novak Djokovic has enjoyed a year of historical levels of accomplishments and records in 2023. For all intents and purposes, he has pushed ahead of both of his two main rivals during his illustrious tennis career, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. He had already surpassed Federer's former record of 20 career Grand Slam titles in 2022, when he won Wimbledon. But then he matched Nadal's record of 22 career Grand Slams when he won a record 10th Australian Open title. Then Djokovic won at Roland-Garros, which has traditionally been Nadal's specialty surface, to pass Nadal in overall Grand Slam championships. Then, Djokovic won the US Open to add some cushion, as well as to climb to the top of the men's rankings. Another record for Djokovic was finishing an 8th year atop those rankings. The next closest is Pete Sampras, with six.
There were other records for Djokovic this year, as well. he became the first tennis player - man or woman - to reach a whopping 400 total weeks atop the rankings. Right now, he is at 403 weeks and counting. He also became the first man to have won at least 5 titles in a calendar year for a record 12 times. Jimmy Coonors is next on that list with 11. Then Federer with 10, and Nadal with 9.
Really, it is stunning the level and consistency of success that Djokovic has managed to achieve during his incredible career.
In short, Djokovic has, at least if you go by the numbers, indisputably established himself as the greatest tennis player of all time. Nobody has ever won more Grand Slam titles. Nobody has ever spent more time as the number one ranked player. And the gap between him and the number two in each spot still appears to be growing. Indeed, I have heard some people argue that this does not make Djokovic the best of all time. I remember one person saying that Federer carried himself with more style, on and off the court. Ditto with Nadal. But the numbers are telling, and Djokovic's numbers are superior, and this is for a reason. You don't have to like it, but it is hard to argue against the results. And in sports, numbers tend to mean a hell of a lot.
Right now, it looks as if Djokovic might have another very impressive, and possibly historical year in 2024.
Novak Djokovic: The 60 Minutes Interview Tennis genius Novak Djokovic is no longer chasing records; he's creating them. Ahead of the Australian Open, Djokovic explained how flexibility and mental strength help him dominate on the court. DEC 10, 2023
The most relentless punctuation point of Novak Djokovic’s career Despite a hectic group stage, Novak Djokovic concluded the ATP Finals with two displays of strength which, once again at the age of 36, suggest that the next generation is still lagging some way behind 19 November 2023
"Excited" Novak Djokovic brings 20-match win streak in Davis Cup singles contests to Malaga "I have been playing some really good tennis, particularly in the last four months of the season," he said ahead of Serbia's showdown with Great Britain. By Associated Press Published Nov 22, 2023
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