Most Weeks at ATP No.1: Djokovic & All-Time Leaders Ranked

However, there are a few players that captured the imagination. Indeed, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, and Ilie Năstase amassed a loyal legion of fans thanks to the number of weeks they held the No.1 spot during their careers, and these tennis legends who obtained the No.1 ranking, are still fondly discussed today.

At SportsBoom, we have celebrated the stars who enjoyed the longest reign as world No.1 in tennis. We have adopted a methodical stats-driven approach to provide a conclusive answer on the undisputed kings of tennis.

SB Market Index: How We Evaluate the Longest-Reigning No.1s

To evaluate the longest-reigning No.1s, we used our custom-built proprietary model known as the ‘SB Market Index’. We amalgamated in-depth stats on those who spent the most weeks at world No.1 with expert industry insights to bring up an ‘SB Market Index’ score, which isn’t open to misinterpretation.

Industry Insights

Our curated analysis from the top 10 tennis and sports media sources gives credence to those players who spent the most weeks at No.1. It measures how often a player is prominently featured in conversations about the most impactful reigns at the top of the rankings.

Novak Djokovic: The Undisputed King of Consistency

Novak Djokovic came out on top in our SB Market Index, driven by his superb results for raw number of weeks at No.1 (SB Score) and expert consensus among the media experts (Industry Insights).

One of the undoubted kings of grass, and a supreme all-court player, Novak Djokovic’s weeks at No.1 record indicates his aura of invincibility. He has claimed the most Grand Slam titles to date in the men’s game (24), and he is arguably one of the best return specialists on the ATP Tour.

Djokovic’s insatiable appetite for success means he is third on the list for most ATP Tour titles in history, and while he hasn’t always been the most popular player, his passion for the game remains undimmed.

The Chasing Pack: Federer, Sampras, and Legends

Roger Federer’s No.1 weeks tally (310) was truly astonishing, and he redefined the game with his balletic movement. A grass-court metronome and one of the kings of concrete, the Swiss maestro, who boasted one of the best backhands in history, was one of the most magnanimous players in the game, equally gracious in defeat and victory.

Pete Sampras, meanwhile, who will go down as one of the best American tennis players of all time, was an imperious force with his booming serve/volleying game that saw him dominate Wimbledon in the 1990s. Like Federer, he fared well for ‘SB Score’ and ‘Industry Insights’, encompassing the high regard he was held.

Of course, pitting Pete Sampras vs Ivan Lendl is a futile exercise given they played in different eras, but Lendl revolutionised the game. His strict fitness regime and his monstrous groundstrokes set him out as a great. One of his greatest achievements was when he trailed John McEnroe by two sets to love in the 1984 French Open Final to prevail in an epic five-setter, the first of eight Grand Slam titles.

Jimmy Connors, like Ilie Năstase, was fiery during his days on the pro circuit, and he was iconic. Core figures in the ATP Tour rankings history, Connors and Năstase were also great entertainers, and warrant their place on our list.

The Importance of Longevity at the Top

To be among those who set ATP rankings at No.1, there is a common thread binding the top players. Naturally, there is a mental and physical toll required to scale the heights of the men’s game, and an innate desire to keep pushing yourself.

Those players who enjoyed sustained moments of brilliance, often edged things against their peers, and they were among those who established the greatest rivalries in tennis history. They were never satisfied and their incredible consistency kept them in and around the No.1 spot.