Novak Djokovic has broken a new record: 378 weeks as world number one, no one like him in either the men’s or women’s circuit. He surpassed Steffi Graf, stopped at 377 weeks and wrote a new piece of history in this sport. The mathematics of the last few weeks, after the triumph at the Australian Open, took everything for granted, but getting here has been a long journey, which has surprised many, including Boris Becker.
Interviewed by Eurosport, where he has been a commentator for a few months, he commented on this record: “It is an incredible result. I never thought that the record could be surpassed and of course I wished that the record would remain in the hands of Steffi Graf, being also German like her.
I’m also a close friend of Novak and I’m happy for him, he’s a fantastic guy and a great champion. Records are made to be broken. He will remain number one in the world for a while longer, it still takes some time before someone dethrones him again.”
Boris on the Djokovic-Nadal rivalry
The record for weeks as world number one is in the firm hands of Novak Djokovic.
Instead, what concerns the Grand Slam titles is in perfect parity: 22 for the tennis player from Belgrade, 22 for Rafael Nadal. “The impact they have on tennis is huge, we will only understand that when they retire. I hope Novak and Rafa can play for another year or two,” said Boris Becker about the rivalry between the two champions in an interview with Eurosport.
A rivalry that could culminate at Roland Garros: in Paris, the next Grand Slam event on the calendar, the two could face each other to aim for overtaking. When asked if the Serbian is thinking about the Calendar Grand Slam, the former tennis player replied: “I think Djokovic wants to win the 23rd Slam and thus overtake Nadal.
The next big event is Roland Garros: in my eyes the favorite is still Rafa, but Novak is right behind.”