Novak Djokovic Is About to Achieve a Mythical 8 Years as the Number One Ranked Tennis Player in the World

   

Photo courtesy of Marianne Bevis's Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mariannebevis/5972100998/in/photolist-a6JzyA-csctLm-cscsEm-csctrw-csct17-f4CWUn-nWz24z-a6Jzhy-a6JzGq-a6JyPu-a6FHJc-9ZEUDd-ohz8qG-ox2Nmj-bPFs5a-5uzT4n-a6FHgX-f52W2j-2KSf8f-f4MHoM-cJrFYL-cJrGqo-f4MDDe-a3t6Ga-cscu3h-f4MESB-f4MJya-bALMj9-a3vX3q-bALMws-a3t6Sv-bPFshK-cJrFKY-nnjmG7-a3t6yv-cJrGd9-vUQeNJ-f4MCVT-cJrFxj-a3vXjs-np5my3-nnjiL7-npmV3n-npmS96-nr8qnZ-bPFr3t-bPFqaF-bPFsDg-f52X2j-bALPWo

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Novak Djokovic has enjoyed a lengthy career filled with historical levels of accomplishments and records. And these achievements continue, despite him not having gotten off to the greatest start possible this calendar year. 

Earlier this week, Djokovic started his record 417th week as the number one ranked player in the world today. To put that into perspective, that is just shy of 8 full years atop the rankings. Furthermore, he is mathematically guaranteed to attain a 8 full years as #1 ranked player in the world next week. That is a record for both men and women. 

Not sure how dominant either he or Rafael Nadal will manage to be at any point this year. My guess is that they are both capable of winning more Grand Slam titles, although you never know. Nadal will be retiring at the end of this year, and he has been more hampered by injuries slowing him down. Meanwhile, Djokovic in particular feels likely to add to his 24 career Grand Slam championships, which would allow him the honor of being the most successful champion - man or woman - when it comes to Grand Slam success. 

Unbelievable. 

Might as well appreciate it while we have it now. At eight years overall, it will obviously be a while before anybody can even come close to this level of long-term excellence again.