Djokovic Prioritizes Grand Slams Over World No. 1 Ranking

Eppe Franklyne –

• Shifting Priorities: Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, says reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking is no longer his primary goal.

• Focus on Major Titles: The Serbian star, currently ranked fifth, values winning Grand Slams and major tournaments over ranking points.

• Historic Milestone: Djokovic secured his record 411th ATP Masters 1000 match win and moved closer to his 100th singles title after defeating Camilo Ugo Carabelli at the Miami Open.

• Chasing Title Records: With 99 career titles, Djokovic acknowledges surpassing Jimmy Connors’ 109 and Roger Federer’s 103 would be a challenge but remains a possibility.

• Enjoying the Game: While unsure how long he will continue competing, Djokovic says he still finds joy in playing at a high level.

Novak Djokovic has stated that regaining the world No. 1 ranking is no longer his top priority, emphasizing that Grand Slam victories now hold greater significance in his career. The 24-time major champion, who has spent over 400 weeks at the top spot, currently sits at No. 5 in the ATP rankings. However, he proved he remains a formidable force by securing his record-breaking 411th ATP Masters 1000 match win on Sunday.

Djokovic advanced to the fourth round of the Miami Open with a commanding 6-1, 7-6(1) victory over Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli. The win also brought him one step closer to his 100th career singles title. Despite these milestones, the 37-year-old insisted that his focus has shifted.

“If it comes as a consequence of great results and titles, that’s amazing. But that’s not my objective,” Djokovic told reporters. “My goal is to perform at my best in Grand Slams and the tournaments I enter. I’ve adjusted my schedule, so I’m not chasing ranking points anymore.”

With 99 titles to his name, Djokovic is within reach of an elite record held by Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103). While he admires Connors’ achievements, Djokovic admitted that surpassing him would be difficult at this stage of his career.

“It would be amazing to reach that record,” he said. “Connors has always been supportive of me, and I respect him greatly. But it’s probably harder to achieve that now than it was years ago. I’ll take it step by step and see how long I keep playing. Right now, I’m still enjoying the game when I perform well.”