Novak Djokovic reappears on the circuit this week with a new record More weeks as world number 1 with 378previously surpassed German Steffi Graf with 377 weeks. The Serbian tennis player is top of the ATP standings this Monday with 6,980 points, 200 points more than Carlos Alcaraz, who might have equaled him if he hadn’t lost in the final against England’s Cameron Norrie (5-7.6) in Rio de Janeiro. – 4 and 7-5).
“I want to continue to make the history of this sport,” Djokovic said after winning the 22nd Grand Slam and the tenth Australian Open a month ago. dubai.”If I’m ready, I’m the best. Surface and opponent don’t matterI always think I am the best. I don’t see it as arrogant, I honestly don’t see anything wrong with that.”
Djokovic, 35, hits the circuit in Dubai with the intention of breaking new records. The first is to tackle the 22 Grand Slams he shared with Nadal, which could take place at the next Roland Garros. A little further away is the absolute record of 24, held by the Margaret Court of Australia.
In the short run and before going into battle for European territory, Djokovic could have temporarily relinquished his #1 position by failing to play Masters 1,000 at Indian Wells (March 8) and Miami (March 22). forbidden to enter United States of America not be vaccinated against COVID-19. It’s a regulation that won’t be lifted until the next 12 May.
fight for number 1
The 2,000 points at stake could change the classification in favor of Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas (5,940 points) and Norway’s Casper Ruud (5,515 points), who, despite defending 1,360 points, also have mathematical options alongside Alcaraz. , for the first time.time 1. He won’t be on this US tour. nadalHe is still recovering from his hamstring injury in Australia. His absence this week will drop him to world number 8 and will definitely put him out of the ‘top 10’ before the start of his ground tour in Monte Carlo where he plans to reappear.
If Djokovic recovers from the discomfort in his right leg from the last games, he will only have a chance to score points in the Dubai tournament, where 500 points are at stake for the champion, as Acapulco has dealt with where Alcaraz plans to play. Rio de Janeiro. “Can I play in Acapulco without taking too much risk, we have to see the severity of the hamstring injury. I felt the same discomfort in my right leg that prevented me from going to Australia,” said the young tennis player from Murcia. Leaving the title of the Brazilian tournament to Norrie.