By Chris Oddo | Monday May 6, 2019
Novak Djokovic notched a massive rankings milestone on Monday by becoming the fifth ATP player to spend 250 weeks at the top of the rankings.
Only Roger Federer (310), Pete Sampras (286), Ivan Lendl (270) and Jimmy Connors (268) have spent more weeks than Djokovic as the ATP’s No.1. Only four players have spent more than 250 weeks at No.1 on the WTA side: Steffi Graf (377), Martina Navratilova (332), Serena Williams (319) and Chris Evert (260).
Djokovic can pass Connors and Lendl this season and, if he stays at No.1, he can pass Sampras early next season.
The Serb will open his bid for a third Madrid title on Tuesday when he faces American Taylor Fritz in second-round action. Djokovic is 15-4 on the season and 24-8 lifetime at Madrid.
Garin Surges to Career High
Chile’s Cristian Garin rose 14 spots to a career-high ranking of 33 on Monday after claiming the title at Munich. The 22-year-old has 478 ranking points to defend from now until the end of the season. He started the season at No.84 and now owns two titles on the season.
There were three other career-high rankings in the Top 100 on Monday—Italy's Matteo Berrettini rises to No.31 after reaching the final at Munich, South Africa’s Lloyd Harris reaches No.87 and Alexander Bublik jumps to No.94.
Another big riser was Pablo Cuevas, who vaulted 16 to No. 51 spots as a result of reaching the final in Estoril.