Saturday, July 25, 2026

Djokovic Hits 7 Years As World No. 1 Despite Absence

  • He has been in the top spot 54 weeks more all-time than Roger Federer.
  • The 34-year-old’s last tournament was the Dubai Duty Tennis Championships in late February.
Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports

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).

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sinner Defeats Zverev at Wimbledon, Claims $4.8M Prize

Sinner won his first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Jul 10, 2026; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner of Italy celebrates winning his semifinal match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day 12 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club

Jannik Sinner Reclaims Spot in Grand Slam Final to Vie for $4.8M

Sunday’s winner will claim the No. 4 spot on the career earnings list.

The Parity Era of Women’s Tennis Continues at Wimbledon

Karolína Muchová and Linda Nosková meet in the Wimbledon final Saturday.

Tennis Civil War Deepens As Two Groups Claim to Be Real PTPA

Dueling lawsuits have plunged a player advocacy group further into chaos.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

7/24/26 – Mark Cuban Buys Into A’s, Raiders Sign Mendoza, Sophie Cunningham’s Meteoric Rise

0:00

Featured Today

Tom's Watch Bar

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.
Jun 16, 2026; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; France forward Michael Olise (11) controls the ball against Senegal during a Group I match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium
July 16, 2026

Where World Cup Stars Go to Customize Their Cleats

The world’s best players turn to a Scottish craftsman for perfect cleats.
July 10, 2026

What the World Cup Means to Erling Haaland’s Tiny Hometown

The tournament’s breakout star is from a rural Norwegian town.
July 10, 2026

Why So Many Media Outlets Are Rushing Into Sports

Sports coverage has ballooned in every corner of media.
Pillow Fight Championship
July 8, 2026

How Obscure Sports Get Mainstream TV Deals

For niche sports, getting on TV often matters more than getting paid.

WNBA Union Leaders Sidestep Cathy Engelbert Questions 

Engelbert will speak at a press conference Saturday.
July 22, 2026

Jonathan Vaughters Defends Late-Night Tour de France Drug Tests 

“Do you want the appearance of clean, or do you want clean and fair?”
May 2, 2026; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) speaks during a news conference at the team’s Rookie Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.
July 24, 2026

Mendoza Signs $57M Contract While Pavia’s Path Uncertain

The No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft finally signed his rookie contract.
Sponsored

Inside the EY 2026 Sports Engagement Index: The Real Map of American Sports Participation

EY’s latest index explores how shifting U.S. fan behaviors are expanding the definition of sports engagement.
July 22, 2026

Jake Paul Responds to Critics: ‘I Brought Boxing to Netflix’

Paul believes the Tyson fight’s Netflix audience will never be matched.
kyle rudolph
July 22, 2026

Former Viking Kyle Rudolph: Private Equity ‘Great’ for the NFL

Private equity makes “these assets a little more liquid.”
July 21, 2026

Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu Skipping WNBA 3-Point Contest

Only two 2026 WNBA All-Stars are participating.
July 21, 2026

Late-Night Drug Tests Spark Backlash, Intrigue at Tour de France

Riders are pushing back on rare overnight anti-doping tests.