Novak Djokovic has returned to the top of the world rankings for the first time in two years. He replaced Raphael Nadal and for the 224th week he will be the first in the world. The Serb is the first player to go out of the top 20 in one year and reach number 1 after Marat Safin who did so in 2000. The Russian was the 38th in the world in February 2000 and reached the first place November 20 same season. `When I looked at what I did last year, it`s a phenomenal achievement, of course, I`m very happy and proud of that. Five months ago, if anyone had told me that it would happen, I always believe in myselfbut it was very unlikely, considering where I was in the rankings, how I played and how I felt!`, Djokovic said. Novak underwent a right elbow surgery in January after the Australian Open, and this was the first tournament he has been in for six months. He reunited with longtime coach Marian Wajda before the Masters in Monte Carlo in April and began the tournament in R ome with six wins and six losses since the beginning of the season. Since then, he has statistics of 43-5, and after Wimbledon has 31 wins and 2 losses. The 31-year-old Serb won two Grand Slam titles, and after his victory over Roger Federer at the Cincinnati final via tennis tips he became the first title champion of all nine Masters series tournaments.
Tennis players who have been the world`s longest first in the world rankings:
1. Roger Federer (310 weeks)
2. Pete Sampras (286)
3. Ivan Lendl (270)
4. Jimmy Connors (268)
5. Novak Djokovic (224)
6. Rafael Nadal (196)
7. John McEnroe (170)
8. Bjorn Borg (109)
9. Andre Agassi (101)
10. Lleyton Hewitt (80)
11. Stefan Edberg (72)
12. Jim Courier (58)
13. Gustavo Kuerten (43)
14. Andy Murray (41)
15. Ilie Nastase (40)
