Djokovic Overtakes Federer, Nadal! Sets New ATP Benchmark As Only Player In History To...

Last Updated:November 17, 2025, 15:40 IST

Novak Djokovic ends 2025 ranked No. 4, setting a record 16th Top-4 ATP season, surpassing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and continues chasing Grand Slam title No. 25 at age 38.

Novak Djokovic celebrating after winning his 101st career title (AP)

It’s been another vintage Novak Djokovic season, even if it didn’t include a Grand Slam trophy.

At 38, the Serbian legend still put up elite numbers: semifinals at all four Majors, a milestone 100th title in Geneva, No. 101 in Athens, and yet another deep run at the Masters 1000 level, reaching his 60th Masters final in Miami and his 80th semifinal in Shanghai.

Despite missing several major events, including some Masters and the ATP Finals, Djokovic hovered steadily between No. 4 and No. 7 all year.

And when the ATP’s year-end rankings land, he’ll officially close 2025 at No. 4 — a ranking that will earn him yet another slice of history.

A record the rest of the Big 3 couldn’t touch

Djokovic’s No. 4 finish will mark his 16th career Top-4 season, breaking his tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal (both at 15). It’ll now be an outright record in ATP rankings history.

For added perspective:

• Half of Djokovic’s Top-4 finishes (eight) were at No. 1.
• Federer and Nadal each ended the year at No. 1 five times.

When you widen the lens to Top-5 finishes, the hierarchy stays the same: Djokovic leads with 17, while Federer and Nadal follow with 16 each.

The Chase for Grand Slam Title No. 25 — and a Slice of Tennis History

Djokovic hasn’t won a Slam since the 2023 US Open, as the landscape has shifted dramatically.

Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz now run the show, owning the last eight Grand Slam titles between them and spearheading the sport’s next era.

At 38, the tennis icon knows it may be the toughest challenge of his career, especially since he’s playing in the new era of Sinner and Alcaraz. But Djokovic hasn’t abandoned the chase.

If he wins Major No. 25, he’ll also break another record: he will become the oldest Grand Slam champion in the Open Era, eclipsing Ken Rosewall’s 1972 mark (37 years, two months).

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

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