In the vast world of ATP Tour, one towering figure has emerged, casting an awe-inspiring shadow over the game of tennis. That figure is none other than the incomparable Novak Djokovic, a maestro of the sport whose prowess knows no bounds.
Djokovic’s reign is an enigma wrapped in a tapestry of triumphs, boasting an astonishing 95 ATP Tour titles that stand as a testament to his indomitable spirit and unyielding pursuit of greatness. With a resounding thud, he shattered the longstanding record held by the illustrious Roger Federer in November 2022, etching his name in the pantheon of legends.
But Djokovic’s domain extends far beyond the ATP Tour alone. His stranglehold on the grandest stages of tennis is a spectacle to behold, with an awe-inspiring tally of 23 Grand Slam singles titles that positions him among the gods of the game. Each conquest, a symphony of skill and resilience, serves as a vivid testament to his sheer desire to leave an indelible mark on the sport he cherishes.
Yet, Djokovic’s voracious appetite for victory does not cease there. A staggering 38 ATP Masters 1000 titles bear witness to his unrivalled command of the court, an intricate dance of power and finesse that leaves opponents mesmerised and spectators breathless. With every powerful serve and lightning-quick volley, he defies the limits of human capability, propelling the sport into uncharted territories of possibility.
This is an achievement that really does set the standard. While Nadal and Federer seem to have taken most of the plaudits, Djokovic cuts through the crowd and proves that he is simply one of the best.
In the history of men’s squash, the player who achieved the longest unbeaten run was Pakistani Jahangir Khan who, according to Guinness World Records, won 555 consecutive games betweem November 1981 and November 1986. Of course, a five-year unbeaten run is a magnificent accomplishment but, when it comes to persistent achievement, even the six-time World Open winner cannot lay a racket on Australian Heather McKay.
Born Heather Blundell, in Queanbeyan, near Canberra in New South Wales on July 31, 1941, McKay took up squash at the age of 18, alongside fellow members of Evergreens Hockey Club who, like her, were ‘in search of an extracurricular activity to advance our fitness level on the hockey field’. In the quarter-finals of the 1960 New South Wales State Championships – just her second tournament – she lost to compatriot Yvonne West and, in the final of the 1962 Scottish Open she lost, in five games, to Kenyan-born Englishwoman Fran Marshall. Thereafter, though, McKay became the force majeure in women’s squash throughout the sixties and seventies and never lost another match.
She avenged her defeat by Marshall by beating the same opponent in straight games in the final of the 1962 British Open and went on to win what was, at the time, the de facto world championship, every year up to, and including, 1977. During her 19-year unbeaten run, having turned professional, McKay also won the unofficial Women’s World Squash Championship in Brisbane in 1976 and the inaugural official World Open in London in 1979. She retired from the sport at the age of 38 and, in the 2018 Australia Day Honours was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) for ‘distinguished service to squash’.
Steffi Graf, the renowned tennis player, holds the record for the most consecutive weeks ranked as the world number one in women’s tennis. Her exceptional reign at the top of the WTA rankings lasted an astonishing 377 weeks, stretching from August 17, 1987 to March 10, 1991. Notably, Graf also holds the record for the most total weeks ranked as the world number one, which again stands at an impressive 377 weeks. There is no denying that she was a revelation in the game of tennis, changing the face of the sport forever.
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, Graf’s prowess on the tennis court was unmatched. She showcased her extraordinary skills by clinching an impressive 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including the coveted Golden Slam in 1988. Additionally, Graf claimed two Olympic gold medals in singles, solidifying her status as one of the all-time greats in women’s tennis.
Graf’s remarkable record of the most consecutive weeks ranked as the world number one is unlikely to be surpassed in the foreseeable future. Breaking her record would necessitate a player maintaining an unrivalled level of dominance for over three years, an extraordinary feat that requires sustained excellence and consistency.
Steffi Graf’s legacy in the sport of tennis is enduring. Her remarkable achievements, including the record for the most consecutive weeks as the world number one, serve as a clear indication of where she wanted to go in the game and what she wanted to achieve. Graf’s influence on women’s tennis remains an inspiration to aspiring players worldwide, and her records continue to be a benchmark of greatness in the sport.
As we stand here in June 2023, Djokovic stands tall with an astonishing tally of 23 Grand Slam singles titles to his name. A record that resonates with sheer dominance and unparalleled prowess. With each triumphant victory, he has shattered barriers and surpassed expectations, solidifying his place as the undisputed holder of this esteemed record.
The culmination of Djokovic’s relentless pursuit came at the French Open in 2023, where he seized his 23rd Grand Slam trophy, surpassing the remarkable achievement of Rafael Nadal, who had held the record at 22. In a display of sheer grit and unparalleled skill, Djokovic left an indelible mark on the court, leaving his opponents awestruck and fans roaring with exhilaration.
His path to greatness has been paved with a tenacious spirit, passion, and an insatiable hunger for success. Djokovic’s prowess extends beyond his technical mastery; it is his ability to rise to the occasion, to channel the intensity of the moment, and to deliver extraordinary performances under the weight of colossal pressure that sets him apart.
In the tapestry of tennis history, Djokovic’s legacy gleams brightly. His name resonates with awe, inspiring the next generation of tennis aspirants to reach for the stars. With his record-breaking Grand Slam titles, he has elevated the sport to new heights, pushing the boundaries of what was once deemed possible.
Novak Djokovic, the conqueror of courts, the epitome of resilience, and the embodiment of determination, stands tall as the rightful owner of the most Grand Slam singles titles in the Open Era. A legend in his own right, his journey of triumph and relentless pursuit of excellence will forever echo through the hallowed halls of tennis history.
Inaugurated in 2017, the Laver Cup is an international hard court tennis competition, staged annually over three days in September – two weeks after the conclusion of the US Open – and contested by teams comprising six of the leading male players from Europe and six from the rest of the world. The competition is named in honour of Australian former tennis player Rodney George ‘Rod’ Laver who, in 1969, became the first man in history to complete a calendar Grand Slam twice, having previously done so in 1962.
Qualification for the Laver Cup, at least in the case of the first three players on each team, is based on Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) singles rankings immediately after the French Open in June. Three lower-ranked players, known as ‘captain’s picks’, are recruited by the captain of each team and announced before the start of the US Open, on the last Monday in August. In all five editions of the Laver Cup, so far, Bjorn Borg has captained Team Europe and John McEnroe has captained Team World.
The Laver Cup consists of twelve matches – nine singles matches and three doubles matches – played over five sessions on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Matches are worth a single point on Friday, two points on Saturday and three points on Sunday, such that the result cannot be decided until Sunday. All matches are the best-of-three sets but, if a match is tied at one set all, the result is decided by a ten-point ‘match tiebreak’, which allows matches to be completed in a timely fashion.
As an incentive for higher-ranked players to participate, each player receives an appearance fee commensurate with his ATP ranking. Above and beyond that, each player on the winning team receives $250,000 in prize money, while each player on the losing team receives $125,000. Location-wise, the Laver Cup alternates between cities in Europe and cities in the rest of the world; the 2023 edition is scheduled for Vancouver, Canada.