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(Reuters) - Novak
Djokovic has sealed the year-end men's world number one tennis
ranking for the sixth time to go level with childhood hero Pete
Sampras after closest rival Rafael Nadal opted against playing
in the ATP Tour event in Sofia next week.
Spain's 20-time Grand Slam champion Nadal, ranked second, was
the only player who had a chance to stop the Serbian from
finishing as the top-ranked player in 2020.
"Pete was somebody I looked up to when I was growing up, so to
match his record is a dream come true" Djokovic said in an ATP
statement.
"I will also keep striving to be a better player, hopefully have
more success and break more records in a sport I love with all
my heart."
During the year Djokovic won the ATP Cup in January before
picking up a record-extending eight Australian Open Grand Slam
in Melbourne. He also won the Cincinnati Masters and a record
36th ATP Masters title in Rome.
In September Djokovic also overtook American Pete Sampras, who
ended as No. 1 for six straight years between 1993 and 1998, for
the most weeks overall at the top ranking and will begin his
294th week in first spot on Monday.
The 33-year-old Djokovic, the winner of 17 Grand Slam titles,
has mentioned that Roger Federer's record of 310 weeks as No. 1
remains his target and he will have a chance to move past the
Swiss on March 8 if he can hold on to his top spot.
"To finish the year as No. 1 is one of the most impressive
achievements in our sport, one which requires sustained
excellence across the season," ATP Chairman Andrea Gaudenzi
added.
"To see Novak achieve this for the sixth time and match Pete's
record is simply incredible, and he continues to cement his
place in the history books."
(Reporting by Sudipto Ganguly in Mumbai; editing by Simon
Cameron-Moore)
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