Tennis has been a popular sport for many years, and there have been some incredible players over the years. But who was the youngest No. 1 tennis player in the world? This article will explore the life and career of the youngest No. 1 tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic.
Who is Novak Djokovic?
Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who is currently ranked No. 1 in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). He is one of the most successful players in the history of the sport, with 17 Grand Slam singles titles and a record seven Australian Open titles. He is also the only male player to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles in a single calendar year, a feat he achieved in 2011.
Early Life
Novak Djokovic was born on May 22, 1987, in Belgrade, Serbia, to parents Srdjan and Dijana. He showed an interest in tennis from a young age, and his parents enrolled him at a tennis school at the age of four. He quickly excelled at the sport and won several junior tournaments. At the age of 12, he moved to Germany to train with tennis coach Jelena Genčić.
Rise to Fame
Djokovic first gained international attention in 2005, when he reached the third round of the French Open, becoming the youngest man to do so since Boris Becker in 1984. In 2006, he reached the fourth round of Wimbledon, becoming the youngest man to reach the fourth round since Boris Becker in 1985. He then won his first ATP title in 2007, becoming the youngest player to do so since Boris Becker in 1985.
Grand Slam Success
Djokovic went on to achieve immense success in Grand Slam tournaments, winning his first Grand Slam singles title at the 2008 Australian Open. He then won the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, becoming the first Serbian man to do so. He won the 2011 US Open and the 2012 Australian Open, becoming the only male player to win three consecutive Grand Slam titles since Rod Laver in 1969.
Record Breaking Achievements
Djokovic achieved a number of record-breaking feats during his career. He became the first man in the Open Era to win three straight Grand Slam titles in a single calendar year in 2011. He also became the only man to win six Grand Slam titles in a row in 2011-2012. He then became the first player to win four consecutive Grand Slam titles in a single calendar year in 2015.
Ranking as No.1
Djokovic achieved the No. 1 ranking in the world on July 4, 2011, at the age of 24, becoming the youngest player to do so since Lleyton Hewitt in 2001. He has since held the No. 1 ranking for a total of 226 weeks, the sixth-longest streak in history.
Personal Life
Djokovic is married to Jelena Ristic, whom he met during his time at the tennis academy in Germany. The couple have two children, a son, Stefan, and a daughter, Tara. Djokovic is also a passionate philanthropist and has launched several charitable initiatives, including the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which works to improve the lives of children in Serbia.
Legacy
Novak Djokovic is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. He is the only male player to have won all four Grand Slam singles titles in a single calendar year, and he has held the No. 1 ranking for a total of 226 weeks, the sixth-longest streak in history. He has also achieved immense success in doubles and mixed doubles, winning 11 Grand Slam titles in total.
Conclusion
Novak Djokovic is one of the most successful and decorated players in the history of the sport. He was the youngest No. 1 tennis player in the world when he achieved the ranking in 2011 at the age of 24, and he has since held the No. 1 ranking for a total of 226 weeks. He has achieved immense success in singles and doubles, winning 17 Grand Slam singles titles and 11 Grand Slam titles in total. He has also achieved a number of record-breaking feats, cementing his place in tennis history as one of the greatest players of all time.