Novak Djokovic 'an inspiration to all of us' - Rune hails world No. 1 for breaking 'really incredible' record

Published 28/02/2023 at 13:51 GMT

Novak Djokovic continues to receive plaudits from the world of tennis after he recorded yet another astonishing record this week when he moved past the great Steffi Graf for weeks spent at the top of the world rankings. The 10-time Australian Open champion's remarkable exploits have left 19-year-old Holger Rune stunned as he looks at Djokovic's latest record with astonishment.

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Rising ATP Tour star Holger Rune has branded Novak Djokovic "an inspiration to all of us" after the Serb surpassed Steffi Graf's record for weeks at world No. 1 on Monday.

Djokovic eclipsed Graf’s legendary mark this week as he prepares to make his first appearance since winning the 2023 Australian Open in January at the Dubai Tennis Free Championships.

In 2021, Djokovic moved past Roger Federer’s men’s benchmark of 310 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings, the same year he came just one match away from completing a historic calendar Grand Slam - an elusive feat involving winning all four majors in a single year.

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For Rune, what the 35-year-old has achieved is "something really incredible" with his staggering longevity and consistency something that is an "inspiration" to everyone on the tennis circuit.

"It's something really incredible that he continues to play like this," Rune said at the ATP 500 event in Acapulco.

"The level that he has been showing for many years is tremendous.

"That he has been able to win the Australian Open and practically every tournament that he plays at his age is an inspiration to all of us."

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

“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.

“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.”