Novak Djokovic

The Serb will spend his 378th week at the top of men's tennis competing in Dubai, where he will play his first tournament since capturing a 10th Australian Open ...

Still not there in terms of the game itself, how I feel on the court. “I had so much respect for her because I played against her and I played in that era. 1 in the world again, I was thinking ‘how is that possible?’ But the important thing is that there is no pain. I’m as dedicated to the sport really as anybody else. I’m very proud of it.”

Novak Djokovic remains unbeaten in 2023 — but only after the World No. 1 held off a spirited challenge from Tomas Machac for a first-round win on Tuesday at ...

[Wimbledon](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/wimbledon/540/overview) and being No. The World No. will be World No. A small presentation noting the 35-year-old’s achievement was held post-match at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. “I’m extremely grateful that I’m able to play at this level after many years. 130 in the world today," Djokovic said of Machac, who reached his career-high of No. “I did struggle with injury for several weeks and it took me a little bit of time to get used to holding the racquet. Yet the Serbian held on for the win, and is now 13-0 for the 2023 season after previously winning an ATP 250 in Adelaide and lifting a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam at January’s Djokovic’s thrilling win came a day after he overtook Stefanie Graf’s record for most weeks by a men's or women's tennis player as World No. The top seed sent down 12 aces and saved seven of 10 break points he faced. 1 was at times visibly frustrated at struggling to find his best level, but composed himself in trademark fashion in the deciding-set tie-break to ward off the upset and take a hard-earned two-hour, 28-minute victory. "Tomas certainly didn't play like the No.

Novak Djokovic needed a deciding tie-break to see off young Czech Tomas Machac at the ATP Tour event in Dubai in his first match since the Australian Open.

"Physically you can always be better, I demand the highest of standards. I did struggle with injury for several weeks and it took me a little bit of time to really get used to holding a racket. The Serbian took three weeks off after defying a hamstring problem to win a record-equalling 22nd grand slam title in Melbourne and looked understandably a little rusty in a 6-3 3-6 7-6 (1) win against 130th-ranked Machac.

Novak Djokovic avoided a scare to beat Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) at the Dubai Tennis Championships in his first match since winning the Australian Open.

The next four games were shared so the match went to a final set tie-break where Djokovic showed his class with some incredible winners to get over the line in a thriller. Djokovic began to miss his forehand and could only create one break point chance at 5-3 down, which he couldn’t take as Machac hit a superb backhand winner down the line and held serve to win the set. However, Djokovic began to find his rhythm with the backhand and broke for a second time which proved to be decisive as he went on to wrap up the set in 37 minutes. Knowing how most players fare against the 22-time Grand Slam champion when going a set down, Machac started to go for his shots and he broke Djokovic in the second game, before going 3-0 up. An entertaining match saw Machac play some superb tennis to take the encounter to a final set tie-break but Djokovic showed his class when it mattered to find a way over the line. Novak Djokovic avoided a scare to beat Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) at the Dubai Tennis Championships in his first match since winning a 10th Australian Open title.

Novak Djokovic has dropped more sets this year to 130th-ranked Tomas Machac and 191st-ranked Enzo Couacaud than he has in his other 11 matches combined.

“He was giving me all kinds of trouble,” said Djokovic, who became just the seventh player in ATP history to win 300 tiebreaks. But after a spotty couple of sets, Djokovic settled down in the match’s most pressure-filled moment, the deciding tiebreak. While he’d lose the game, he’d win the set with the same aggressive mentality. “Tomas definitely didn’t play like 130th in the world today,” said Djokovic. Playing for the first time since claiming his 10th Australian Open title, Djokovic showed a bit of rust with a sizable unforced error count (28, compared to his opponent’s 17), and he took Machac’s best punches during an unexpectedly lopsided second set. ATP Dubai, UAE

Novak Djokovic says he “couldn't imagine” being at the top of the ATP rankings for so long after he broke Steffi Graf's record for the most weeks as world ...

Novak Djokovic says he “couldn’t imagine” being at the top of the ATP rankings for so long after he broke Steffi Graf’s record for the most weeks as world No. Djokovic broke the record on Monday, having first become world No. The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

Despite there being 129 places between them in the rankings, Novak Djokovic had to win a deciding tie-break to beat Tomas Machac.

130 in the world today," Djokovic said of his opponent. "He was giving me all kinds of trouble. "Tomas certainly didn't play like the No.

Novak Djokovic had to survive a rollercoaster battle with Czech Thomas Machac at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday evening.

[ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) I’m just hoping that I’ll be able to kind of restart in a way my season after Australia, the injury, in the best possible way.” I guess the first one is always the special one. Tough to pick which of those five titles is the favorite one. The tournament has been attracting so many top players over the years. [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) So for tennis players, it’s a fantastic place. A lot of entertainment. Speaking ahead of the tournament he said: “It’s great to be back in Dubai. “I did struggle with injury for several weeks and it took me a little bit of time to get used to holding the racquet. “Physically you can always be better,” said Djokovic, who was playing his first match since his Australian Open title run. [Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are cultural icons](https://www.tennis365.com/atp-tour/rafael-nadal-and-novak-djokovic-are-cultural-icons/)

Speaking to the press ahead of the Dubai Tennis Championships, Djokovic explained what motivates him. “I think in the core of my motivation, it's just a ...

[ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) “I just have to play more. “After every injury, it takes a little bit of time for mechanisms to be balanced, so to say, for adjustments to be done on the court. I don’t have a hindrance to the way I move on the court. Had a couple of weeks of no tennis. “Yeah, I had enough time in the gym, so to say, fitness-wise, built a good base. Probably only five, six days ago we knew that it’s going to be possible for me to play as we were testing the leg on the tennis court. As I said, I really love the game, I love the competition, I love to be challenged on the court by anybody. I have ambitions. Professionally I have goals. “I think keeping that kind of a mindset also drives me and drives my team members to really take every tournament as a new challenge, biggest challenge we have in this moment. “I think in the core of my motivation, it’s just a mentality of wanting always to be better than I was yesterday.

Despite there being 129 places between them in the rankings, Novak Djokovic had to win a deciding tie-break to beat Tomas Machac.

130 in the world today," Djokovic said of his opponent. "He was giving me all kinds of trouble. "Tomas certainly didn't play like the No.

Novak Djokovic suffered a scare Tuesday at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, where he needed to claw through a final-set tie-break to dispatch Tomas ...

“I guess eventually they'll take the No. [Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/dubai/495/overview) celebrated Djokovic’s [378th week atop the Pepperstone ATP Rankings](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-surpasses-graf-378-weeks-pepperstone-atp-rankings-february-2023). “They're playing a lot of tournaments, a lot of weeks. I do feel a difference definitely comparing to the level that I had and the kind of execution I had in Australia.” "Credit to him, he went for his shots, especially down the line backhand, serve and volley. There's a muscle memory and it plays with your mind a little bit, it plays with your biomechanics, with your preparation for the shot, execution for the shot. Tie-break was as good as it can be,” Djokovic said. After finding a way past Machac, the 35-year-old is now 13-0 on the season. “[I will] take it day by day and see where it can go.” “Credit to him, he did surprise me. 1 said there was good news beyond the result. But the World No.

Rising ATP Tour star Holger Rune has branded Novak Djokovic "an inspiration to all of us" after the Serb surpassed Steffi Graf's record for weeks at world ...

Sooner or later all records will be broken, but this is one for the tennis history books. [Exclusive: ‘I never thought this record could be broken’ – Becker on Djokovic surpassing Graf](https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/boris-becker-on-novak-djokovic-surpassing-steffi-graf-i-never-thought-this-record-could-be-broken_sto9435954/story.shtml) [Djokovic world No. “Records are meant to be broken. 1 record 'unbelievable' as Schett backs him to 'get over 400 weeks'](https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/novak-djokovic-record-unbelievable-as-barbara-schett-backs-him-to-get-over-400-weeks-at-world-no.-1_sto9435691/story.shtml) [Exclusive: Djokovic breaking legendary Graf record 'very unique' says Corretja](https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/novak-djokovic-breaking-legendary-steffi-graf-record-of-weeks-at-world-no.-1-very-unique-says-alex-c_sto9408491/story.shtml) "That he has been able to win the Australian Open and practically every tournament that he plays at his age is an inspiration to all of us." For Rune, what the 35-year-old has achieved is "something really incredible" with his staggering longevity and consistency something that is an "inspiration" to everyone on the tennis circuit.

Djokovic missed the 2022 Australian Open and was deported from the country due to being unvaccinated against COVID-19 before returning this year to clinch a ...

“I guess that makes the achievement bigger, at least in my team’s and my eyes. And I try.” He was forced out of big tournaments in the United States last year, including the U.S.

But the 35-year-old is wary of the challengers as he named Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas as three players who are likely to be in the mix ...

[ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) I’m not playing as much, and I don’t plan to play as many weeks as they do. “There’s a lot of challengers that are coming up in the new generations. Alcaraz being there, probably one of the leaders of the next generation. “I work as hard as anybody else. However, he was defeated by Djokovic on both occasions as he went down in three sets at this year’s Australian Open and lost in five sets at the 2021 French Open. I’m really, really committed to the sport. I have been blessed to achieve both of my childhood dreams several times,” he said after his first-round win at the Dubai Tennis Championships. These guys are just playing on a high level constantly. [Novak Djokovic eyes more records as he surpasses Steffi Graf’s No 1 mark](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/novak-djokovic-records-breaks-steffi-grafs-record/)

Tennis legend Steffi Graf is handing off one of her crowns to another legend. Novak Djokovic surpassed her record with a No. 1 ranking for 378 weeks.

FADEL: Novak Djokovic will try to keep setting records this season at the French Open, Wimbledon and possibly at the U.S. Djokovic says he's asked for permission to play in the U.S. 1 for more than seven years of his career, a feat that he says on social media has him feeling both blessed and grateful. FADEL: In 2022, Djokovic was blocked from competing at the Australian Open because he refused to be vaccinated for COVID. MARTÍNEZ: But he returned to Melbourne earlier this year to win his 22nd Grand Slam title and reclaim the top spot. With 22 Grand Slam titles, Graf dominated tennis in the '80s and '90s, and she was ranked as the world's No.

Novak Djokovic earned the world No. 1 ranking on Monday for the 378th week of his career, passing Steffi Graf for the most all-time by any tennis player, ...

The big picture: Djokovic first reached No. Novak Djokovic earned the world No. "It's surreal to be that many weeks No.

Novak Djokovic is playing his first tournament since winning the Australian Open with a hamstring injury.

I do feel a difference definitely comparing to the level that I had and the kind of execution I had in Australia. Djokovic also voiced his praise for Machac - whose career high is just No 97 - after the 22-year-old surprised him with his level and admitted that he had to fight to earn the victory. There's a muscle memory and it plays with your mind a little bit, it plays with your biomechanics, with your preparation for the shot, execution for the shot. But the world No 1 was still taking the positives from the match, as he said he was no longer worried about the hamstring itself. The top seed was dragged into a final set tiebreak by the world No 130 and later admitted that it would take time to “find the groove” after recovering from injury and said he wasn’t feeling the “best” fitness-wise. A five-time former champion in Dubai, Djokovic also explained how he suffered from some dips in form during the match as a consequence of his short injury layoff.

But the 35-year-old is wary of the challengers as he named Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune and Stefanos Tsitsipas as three players who are likely to be in the mix ...

[ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) [Tennis News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/tennis-news/) I’m not playing as much, and I don’t plan to play as many weeks as they do. “There’s a lot of challengers that are coming up in the new generations. Alcaraz being there, probably one of the leaders of the next generation. “I work as hard as anybody else. However, he was defeated by Djokovic on both occasions as he went down in three sets at this year’s Australian Open and lost in five sets at the 2021 French Open. I’m really, really committed to the sport. I have been blessed to achieve both of my childhood dreams several times,” he said after his first-round win at the Dubai Tennis Championships. These guys are just playing on a high level constantly. [Novak Djokovic eyes more records as he surpasses Steffi Graf’s No 1 mark](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/novak-djokovic-records-breaks-steffi-grafs-record/)

Follow game Novak Djokovic vs Tallon Griekspoor live updates coverage, stream information, score and result online, prediction, TV channel and time of the ...

A lot of hours go into the preparation to be able to perform. As for his physical sensations he commented that "physically you can always be better. Stay tuned for up-to-the-minute live online coverage of the match on VAVEL. 1º Set Novak Djokovic (2-0) Tallon Griekspoor 1º Set Novak Djokovic (5-2) Tallon Griekspoor 1º Set Novak Djokovic (6-2) Tallon Griekspoor

Novak Djokovic did not play competitive tennis for a month prior to this week's Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. Yet the World No.

[Tomas Machac](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/tomas-machac/m0fh/overview) in the first round on Tuesday, but the 35-year-old struck the ball cleanly from the start on Wednesday against Griekspoor. After the match, Medvedev acknowledged that his winning streak is helping him deal with the physical exertions of his busy schedule. [Novak Djokovic](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/novak-djokovic/d643/overview) did not play competitive tennis for a month prior to this week’s [Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/dubai/495/overview). [In Doha] I still managed to run good and play good, so I feel 100 per cent ready and am looking forward to my next matches.” 1 was pleased with the way he handled the challenge of an opponent he had minimal experience against. “Maybe the last three or four games weren’t the best to close the match, but I managed to find a good serve in the end. “He’s got a lot of firepower in his game,” said Djokovic. Djokovic on Monday began his 378th week as No. The five-time Dubai champion crashed 29 winners in a scintillating display of baseline hitting. But here we go, every day is a new day, a new opportunity, and I’m really glad that I played this well tonight.” 1 appeared near his best in just his second match back on Wednesday, when he dismantled [Tallon Griekspoor](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/tallon-griekspoor/gj37/overview) 6-2, 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals at the ATP 500. “It’s been a great evening for me tonight,” said Djokovic in his on-court interview.

Novak Djokovics return to action at the Dubai Duty Free Championships continued with a straight-sets victory over Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor in the second ...

I probably didn't expect to play that well tonight, considering last night's match, but here we go - every day is a new day, a new opportunity." "Yesterday I really had to work hard to get a win. Tonight I think right from the blocks at the beginning I was sharp, I played definitely better quality tennis than I did last night, and maybe the last three or four games weren't the best to close the match, but I managed to find the good serve in the end.

Novak Djokovic eased into the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships with victory over Tallon Griekspoor.

ATP Dubai The world No. World No.

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic eased into the quarterfinals at the Dubai Championships by beating Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday.

Zverev beat qualifier [Christopher O'Connell](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3301) 7-5, 6-4. The 27-year-old Russian will next play the 20th-ranked [Borna Coric](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2202). [Lorenzo Sonego](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3052) upset fourth-seeded [Felix Auger-Aliassime](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3209) 7-6 (4), 6-4 and will face [Alexander Zverev](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2375) in the final eight. "I have no words. "In my head ... He won seven straight points after going down 1-6. [Hubert Hurkacz](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2726), who beat [Pavel Kotov](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3572) 7-5, 6-1. "Yesterday, I really had to work hard to get a win. [Andrey Rublev](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=2642) produced a 1-6, 7-6 (6), 7-6 (3) comeback win over [Alejandro Davidovich Fokina](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3212). I was sharp," Djokovic said. [Tomas Machac](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3811). [Novak Djokovic](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=296) eased into the quarterfinals at the Dubai Championships by beating [Tallon Griekspoor](http://www.espn.com/sports/tennis/players/profile?playerId=3319) 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday.

After surpassing Steffi Graf's long-standing achievement by spending his 378th week at the top, the Serb was asked about his future goals and admitted that he ...

Roger Federer also has a silver medal from London 2012, while the last three gold medals have gone to Alexander Zverev in Tokyo and Andy Murray in both Rio and London. Since then, Djokovic has lost the bronze-medal match on two occasions in 2012 and 2021, and lost his opening match to Juan Martin del Potro at Rio 2016. [Novak Djokovic](/latest/novak-djokovic) is already eyeing his next milestone after breaking the record for most all-time weeks at No 1 in the world.

Novak Djokovic is at the top of the sport, World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for a record 378th week. After advancing to the quarter-finals of the ...

1 in the world, best in your craft, so to say, you need to learn from the people that have been in those shoes.” But Djokovic did not get to this point by believing the records in front of him were too far to strive for. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings with 310 weeks, more than a year of accrued time less than the Serbian. [Novak Djokovic](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/novak-djokovic/d643/overview) is at the top of the sport, World No. “I still have lots of desire to break records, to play. “But everything is possible.” It's great that the big names that you mentioned were all born in the same decade,” Djokovic said. “I'm sure that things that we talk about today, we feel some of the achievements are just not reachable maybe in 10 years' time or whatever, that we'll be seeing someone surpassing basketball's biggest records, or tennis. Djokovic is now 14-0 on the season. After advancing to the quarter-finals of the [Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships](https://www.atptour.com/en/tournaments/dubai/495/overview) on Wednesday, the Serbian made clear he has no intention of relinquishing his position without a fight. The 35-year-old paused before delivering the end of his message. “I don't believe in coincidences in life.

Novak Djokovic swept through to the quarter-finals of the Dubai Tennis Championships with ease on Thursday (AEDT), clinching a 6-2 6-3 win over Tallon ...

Tonight, right from the blocks, I think I was sharp. "I'm very pleased with the performance and with the way I felt on the court, and hopefully things can go in the right direction for tomorrow." "Maybe the last three or four games weren't the best to close the match, but I managed to find a good serve in the end.