Djokovic claims record-extending 8th year-end ATP No. 1 spot
Novak Djokovic reacts during the semifinal match against Italy in the Davis Cup Final at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena, Malaga, Spain, Nov. 25, 2023. (Getty Images Photo)


Living legend Novak Djokovic clinched the year-end No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings for the eighth time on Monday, reinforcing his existing record.

Djokovic won three Grand Slam tournaments: The Australian Open in January, the French Open in June and the U.S. Open in September.

This raised his career total to a men's-record 24, and he was the runner-up at Wimbledon. He went 56-7 this season, leading the tour with seven titles, including the ATP Finals last month.

The 36-year-old from Serbia regained the top ranking from Carlos Alcaraz, who edged him in a five-set final at the All-England Club in July.

Alcaraz finished 2023 at No. 2 after the two men swapped No. 1 back and forth repeatedly this year.

Iga Swiatek claimed the WTA's year-end No. 1 ranking for the second consecutive year by winning the WTA Finals last month. Swiatek, who won her fourth career major championship at the French Open, overtook Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion and runner-up to Coco Gauff at the U.S. Open.

Gauff finished at No. 3, followed by Elena Rybakina at No. 4 and Jessica Pegula at No. 5.

Djokovic eclipsed his own mark for the oldest player to top the ATP at the end of a season; he was 34 in 2021.

His eight year-end No. 1s put him two ahead of the previous record-holder, Pete Sampras, who did it six times. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal each finished at No. 1 five times, as did Jimmy Connors.

Daniil Medvedev closed 2023 at No. 3, followed by Jannik Sinner at a career-best No. 4, Andrey Rublev at No. 5. Stefanos Tsitsipas was No. 6, Alexander Zverev at No. 7, Holger Rune at No. 8, Hubert Hurkacz No. 9 and Taylor Fritz No. 10.

Alcaraz and Rune are both 20, marking the first time two men that young ended a season in the top 10 since 2000, when Marat Safin, 20, was No. 2 and Lleyton Hewitt, 19, was No. 7.

There are three 19-year-olds in the top 100: No. 36 Arthur Fils, No. 71 Luca Van Assche, and No. 97 Alex Michelson, an American who jumped up 504 spots after ending last year at No. 601.

The U.S has the most men in the top 20, with four: Fritz, No. 13, Tommy Paul, No. 16 Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton at No. 17.