Even in Absence, Novak Djokovic Makes History With 1,000-Week Streak

Novak Djokovic has not played a single competitive point in 2026, yet he has added another extraordinary chapter to his story. Even without stepping on court during the early weeks of the season, the Serbian

icon has crossed a milestone that reflects both his brilliance and his astonishing durability - 1,000 consecutive weeks inside the ATP top 40.

The achievement dates back to 2006, when a teenage Djokovic surged into the world's elite after reaching his first Grand Slam quarter-final at Roland Garros. Since then, the tennis landscape has transformed multiple times: legends have come and gone, surfaces have sped up and slowed down, physicality has increased, and new stars have risen.

Through every shift, Djokovic's ranking has remained untouched, never slipping outside the top 40 for nearly 20 straight years.

His absence from the early 2026 Tour events - including the Adelaide International, which he skipped after withdrawing - has done nothing to stop his momentum in the record books. While the new season has seen Daniil Medvedev claim the Brisbane title and Alexander Bublik triumph in Hong Kong, Djokovic's imprint on the sport continues to loom large. At 38, he remains one of the most feared competitors in the world, currently positioned at No. 4 behind Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev.

Djokovic's longevity is not simply the result of natural talent, but of unwavering discipline, reinvention and a relentless desire to compete. His career has stretched from classic rivalries with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to intense battles with the next generation of champions. Each era has tested him differently, yet he has adapted with rare consistency.

After reaching four Grand Slam semi-finals in 2025, Djokovic now turns his focus to the 2026 Australian Open, where he will chase an unprecedented 25th major title. Skipping Adelaide was a calculated decision - conserving energy for the tournament where he has built his greatest legacy.

Time may move quickly, but Djokovic continues to defy it. As the sport evolves, one thing remains clear: he is still firmly part of the conversation, still breaking boundaries, and still rewriting what longevity in tennis truly means.