Novak Djokovic was at the top of the world rankings for over 400 weeks.Image: AFP/SID/ADRIAN DENNIS
So far, 29 different stars have been at the top of the world rankings at both the ATP and the WTA. But who holds the record for most weeks at number one? tennis MAGAZIN has listed the ten best women and the ten best men in this category.
Djokovic was number one for a total of eight years
The undisputed leader when it comes to being number one in the world rankings for the most weeks is Novak Djokovic. The Serb was at the top of the rankings for a total of 428 weeks, for the first time in 2011. When it comes to the longest streak as number one in the world, Djokovic is only in fourth place with 122 weeks.
Federer has been at the top for most weeks without a break
Both Jimmy Connors (160 weeks) and Ivan Lendl (157 weeks) have been at the top continuously for longer than Djokovic. However, Roger Federer dominates in this category. The Swiss became number one in the world for the first time in February 2004 and defended the top position for 237 weeks, i.e. over four and a half years. In August 2008 he was pushed into second place by none other than Rafael Nadal.
Boris Becker is the only German number one in men’s tennis
From a German perspective, only Boris Becker has so far managed to reach the top position. The three-time Wimbledon winner became number one for the first time after his Australian Open title in 1991. In total he was at the top of the world rankings for twelve weeks.
An overview of the players who have been number one the most weeks
| Position | player | Number one for the first time | weeks in total | Longest series in weeks |
| 1 | Novak Djokovic | 04.07.2011 | 428 | 122 |
| 2 | Roger Federer | 02.02.2004 | 310 | 237 |
| 3 | Pete Sampras | 12.04.1993 | 286 | 102 |
| 4 | Ivan Lendl | 28.02.1993 | 270 | 157 |
| 5 | Jimmy Connors | 29.07.1974 | 268 | 160 |
| 6 | Rafael Nadal | 18.08.2008 | 209 | 56 |
| 7 | John McEnroe | 03.03.1980 | 170 | 58 |
| 8 | Björn Borg | 23.08.1977 | 109 | 46 |
| 9 | Andre Agassi | 10.04.1995 | 101 | 52 |
| 10 | Lleyton Hewitt | 19.11.2001 | 80 | 75 |
Three women number one in the world for over 300 weeks
The most successful German tennis player in history, Steffi Graf, was at the top of the world rankings for a total of 377 weeks – a record. She shares the record for the longest time without a break in first place with Serena Williams, 186 weeks in total.
The American was number one in the world for a total of 319 weeks, which puts her in third place in the overall ranking. Second place goes to Martina Navratilova, who has 332 weeks at the top, including 156 weeks without a break.
Steffi Graf holds the women’s record for most weeks as number one in the world.Bild: Getty Images
Iga Swiatek is already in seventh place
Looking at the record numbers, Iga Swiatek is the only player in the top 10 who is still active. At just 23 years old, she had already been at the top of the world rankings for 125 weeks. Although she is currently only number two behind Aryna Sabalenka, it is expected that she will continue to work her way up the list to number one most weeks in the coming years.
Angelique Kerber in 15th place
In addition to Steffi Graf, Angelique Kerber also reached the top of the world rankings from a German perspective. In total, Kerber was number one in the world for 34 weeks, 20 of them without a break.
An overview of the players who have been number one the most weeks
| Position | player | Number one for the first time | weeks in total | Longest series in weeks |
| 1 | Steffi Graf | 17.08.1987 | 377 | 186 |
| 2 | Martina Navratilova | 10.07.1978 | 332 | 156 |
| 3 | Serena Williams | 08.07.2002 | 319 | 186 |
| 4 | Chris Evert | 03.11.1975 | 260 | 113 |
| 5 | Martina Hingis | 31.03.1997 | 209 | 80 |
| 6 | Monica Seles | 11.03.1991 | 178 | 91 |
| 7 | Iga Swiatek | 04.04.2022 | 125 | 75 |
| 8 | Ashleigh Barty | 24.06.2019 | 121 | 114 |
| 9 | Justine Henin | 20.10.2003 | 117 | 61 |
| 10 | Lindsay Davenport | 12.10.1998 | 98 | 44 |
