Novak Djokovic becomes first male player to record 60 career wins over top-3 players

Novak Djokovic has become the first man to record 60 career wins over top 3 players since the ATP rankings were introduced in 1973. The 21-time Grand Slam champion achieved the feat by defeating World No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 7-6(4) in his opening clash at the ATP Finals on Monday.

Incidentally, this was also Djokovic's ninth win in a row against the Greek player.

The Serb's 60 top 3 wins feature 14 against World No. 1s, 28 against World No. 2s, and 18 against World No. 3s. Sorting that by opponents, he has registered 23 wins against Roger Federer, 22 against Rafael Nadal, 10 against Andy Murray and one against each of Andy Roddick, David Ferrer, Juan Martin del Potro, Daniil Medvedev and now Tsitsipas.

Close on Djokovic's heels are Nadal and Federer, with the Spaniard registering 55 wins against top 3 players and the Swiss maestro winning 51 times.

With his win over Tsitsipas, Djokovic has firmly established himself at the top of the Red Group, ahead of Andrey Rublev and Daniil Medvedev. His next match in Turin sees him lock horns with Andrey Rublev.

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"Making history of this sport is always a big motivational factor, it inspires me" - Novak Djokovic on chasing Roger Federer's ATP Finals record

Novak Djokovic pictured in Turing ahead of the 2022 ATP Finals.

If Novak Djokovic wins the ATP Finals this year, he would match Roger Federer's record of six titles at the event. The Serb, who is a five-time champion at the ATP Finals, has not won the tournament since 2015.

In response to a question about whether Federer's ATP Finals title record inspired him, Djokovic answered in the affirmative during his post-match press conference. He emphasized that setting records has always been important to him, while also stating that he is aware of the numbers and knows how to get ready for the next challenge.

"Well, of course, I'm aware of it. Making history of this sport is always a big motivational factor for me. I mean, doesn't maybe necessarily affect the whole approach to the specific match because I'm experienced enough and I know myself well and what I need to do in order to prepare for my next challenge and next opponent," he said.

The former World No. 1 further acknowledged that it would be an honor and a pleasure to be able to equal Federer's record, and that the prospect of doing so inspired him to "play even better tennis."

"But of course I'm aware of the possibility to make history again. It's a great pleasure and honor to be in that position. So it does motivate me and inspire me to play even better tennis," he remarked.