London: By surpassing yet another tennis record that Roger Federer formerly held, Novak Djokovic has made history by being the oldest person to hold the top spot in the ATP Tour's computerised rankings.
Djokovic is older than Federer was on his final day at the top of the rankings in June 2018 at the age of 36 (he turns 37 next month).
Monday gives Djokovic 420 total weeks at that spot, extending another mark Federer (who was there for 310 weeks) had at one time before Djokovic broke it.
Djokovic's 24 Grand Slam singles titles also are the most by a man in tennis history and the most by anyone in the Open era, which began in 1968. Federer broke Pete Sampras' men's record of 14 major championships and retired with 20, before Rafael Nadal (now with 22) and Djokovic overtook him.
Djokovic entered this week in the Monte Carlo Masters clay-court tournament as he prepares to defend his title at the French Open, where play begins on May 26. It will be Djokovic's first competitive action since he split from coach Goran Ivanisevic.
He has held onto No. 1 since returning there most recently last September after winning the US Open.
Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner remained at No. 2 in Monday's rankings, followed by Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev, all in the same places as a week ago.
There was no movement in the WTA women's top five, either, with Iga Swiatek at No. 1, Aryna Sabalenka at No. 2 and Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula next.
With PTI inputs