Novak's Quest for 311 Weeks at #1

[El Dude]

This is becoming a distinct possibility, folks. Let's take a look.

Right now he's at 244, which is still 65 weeks away from surpassing Roger.

If he spends all of 2019 at #1, he finishes the calendar year with 284 weeks and goes into the 2020 Australian Open with 287 weeks, surpassing Pete Sampras for 2nd all-time.

If he is #1 straight through until June 3, which would be the end of Roland Garros, he's reach 311 weeks.

That is a long time away, especially considering that Novak turns 32 years old in a couple months. But consider that he's won the last three Slams, which gives him a nice cushion of points, meaning he's got a good chance of maintaining number this year, or at least through the US Open. And he'll probably only lose it then if he has lost all of the next three and/or someone else wins at least two.

Frankly there's just no one that seems well-positioned to take #1 from him this year. Roger doesn't play enough and is old; Nadal has some serious question marks. None of the young guys seem ready to play consistently enough to challenge for #1 - I mean, none have even won a Slam.

The point being, there's a very good chance that as long as Novak doesn't get hurt or go on walkabout, he could still be number one a year from now - even without being utterly dominant. He really only needs to be the best of the pack.

2020 might be a different matter, though. The young guys are getting closer and closer in the rearview and are due for a big breakout at a Slam.

Regardless, I do think that Novak has a better chance of 311 weeks than he does 21 Slams. A lot can happen in the next 14-15 months, but shit's gettin real!

 

[Fiero425]

I check that record & update my blog weekly thinking there's no reason right now that NOLE won't surpass Fed within the next 2 yrs! :whistle:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Nole may not surpass Fed in GS count. He may not even surpass Ralph in GS count.

But, he has a very high chances of surpassing Roger's count of weeks at #1 (surely better chances than surpassing them on GS count).

The primary reason is that while Roger and Ralph are at least trying to prevent Novak from surpassing them in the
GS count, neither Roger nor Ralph is focused on #1 ranking these days. I am not saying they should, just stating as
a matter of fact. We know that any of the youngsters might win a Masters or GS, but definitely not going to be consistent
throughout the year to grab #1 from Nole. So, essentially there is no real competition for Novak with respect to
the #1 ranking. Even if Novak does not win multiple slams, he still has higher chances of remaining #1 by winning
many Masters, which he is fully capable of.

 

[atttomole]

Novak has a high probability of passing Roger's weeks at #1. He has to play well in the latter part of this year though, to defend his points.

 

[Fiero425]

Novak has a high probability of passing Roger's weeks at #1. He has to play well in the latter part of this year though, to defend his points.

But not having to defend many points at all this Spring will help keep him atop the men! It shouldn't take much to remain @ #1 for the foreseeable future! :whistle:

 

[atttomole]

But not having to defend many points at all this Spring will help keep him atop the men! It shouldn't take much to remain @ #1 for the foreseeable future! :whistle:

That means he has to dominate on clay because he lost early at Indian Wells. If he he plays well on clay, then he can remain number 1 regardless of what happens in summer.