Djokovic Hits 7 Years As World No. 1 Despite Absence

Despite not hitting the court in more than a month and missing the season’s first major, Novak Djokovic has reached a milestone: seven years as the world’s No. 1 men’s tennis player.

On Thursday, Djokovic secured his 364th non-consecutive week on top when Daniil Medvedev, who had held the top spot at one point last month, lost in the Miami Open quarterfinals to Hubert Hurkacz.

His refusal to take the COVID vaccine has limited his appearances and saw him deported prior to the Australian Open, but Djokovic’s record will probably be untouchable — and he still reigns supreme on the money list.

• He’s played in only one tournament in 2022, falling in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Duty Tennis Championships in late February.
• After earning $9.1M in ’21, Djokovic has made $76,570 in ’22. 
• His 364 total weeks at No. 1 are 54 more than Roger Federer, the next-closest.
• He still ranks first on the career money list with $154.8M in earnings — Federer is second ($130.6M).

The 34-year-old is scheduled to play in the 2022 Monte Carlo Masters on April 10-17 — in preparation for May’s French Open, where he will defend his title and look to equal Rafael Nadal’s record 21 major victories.

Djokovic is currently the second-favorite (+225) to win at Roland Garros, behind Nadal (+110).