Boris Becker on Novak Djokovic surpassing Steffi Graf - 'I never thought this record could be broken

ByNigel Chiu

Updated 28/02/2023 at 07:02 GMT

Eurospert expert Boris Becker has given his reaction to Novak Djokovic surpassing Steffi Graf’s record of the most weeks as world No. 1 in tennis’ Open Era. Djokovic moved into a league of his own when he started his 378th week at the top of the ATP rankings on Monday. The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

Eurosport's Boris Becker says he “never thought” Steffi Graf’s record of 377 weeks as world No. 1 would be beaten, describing Novak Djokovic’s achievement to beat it as “unbelievable”.

Djokovic surpassed Graf’s record on Monday as he prepares to make his first appearance since winning the 2023 Australian Open in January, by competing at the Dubai Tennis Free Championships this week.

In 2021, Djokovic had already beaten Roger Federer’s men’s benchmark of 310 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings, the same year he came one match away from completing the calendar Grand Slam, where a player wins all four majors.

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Carlos Alcaraz’s run to the final of the Rio Open and triumph at the Argentina Open this month means Djokovic’s reign as world No. 1 is not certain during the build-up to the French Open.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” Becker told Eurosport. “I never thought this record could be broken.

“As a fellow German I would have wished for Steffi Graf to be the all-time leader, but being a close friend of Novak as well, I am not too unhappy either.”

Djokovic is level with Rafael Nadal in the so-called GOAT race to see who will have the most Grand Slams by the end of their career.

Despite the Serbian facing pressure from Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud over the coming months in the battle for world No. 1, Becker is back Djokovic.

• Exclusive: Djokovic breaking legendary Graf record 'very unique' says Corretja
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• The numbers behind Djokovic’s record-breaking 378 weeks as No. 1

“Novak is a fantastic guy and a great champion,” he added. “Records are meant to be broken. Sooner or later all records will be broken, but this is one for the tennis history books.

“And guess what, it’s still counting. I think Novak will be number one for a few weeks more before somebody will take his crown.”

'Nadal will always be my biggest rival, not Alcaraz' - Djokovic

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The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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