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The records continue to tumble for Novak Djokovic now can set his sights on extending his place in the record books.

While the world No 1 has confirmed that hanging onto that top ranking is no longer on his list of priorities, he could now be presented with a chance to push for another remarkable milestone given the unfortunate setbacks for his rivals in recent weeks.

World No 2 Jannik Sinner has tested Djokovic in their recent meetings, as he has won three of their last four matches, including an impressive victory in the Australian Open semi-finals last January.

Sinner also won titles in Rotterdam and Miami this year, edging him up to second place in the rankings for the first time and opening the door to ousting Djokovic from top spot in Rome next week.

READ MORE NEWS :Tennis legend praises Novak Djokovic’s ‘remarkable achievement’ after latest world No 1 record

Yet his injury has ended that dream for now, with Sinenr’s next big chance to get to the top of the ATP Rankings and become the first Italian player to achieve that is on hold for now.

Carlos Alcaraz makes claim about Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic having  'weak points'

Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of a return to the top of the ATP Rankings have also suffered a hammer blow, with his ongoing forearm injury problem seeing him pull out of tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona, while it affected his performance in his defeat against Andrey Rublev in Madrid.

World No 3 Alcaraz has now pulled out of the Italian Open and has to be a doubt for the French Open later this month, with his fitness levels unlikely to be at their peak even if he plays in Paris.

Daniil Medvedev is another player suffering from injury, with the world No 4 pulling out of the Madrid Masters with a leg problem as he joins the list of players facing a race to win a fitness battle ahead of the second Grand Slam of 2024.

Djokovic has points of his own to prove after a challenging start to the year that has seen him fail to win a title and suffered some unexpected defeats.

Carlos Alcaraz makes Jannik Sinner rankings claim as legend reveals how Novak  Djokovic was beaten

Yet the Serbian legend has stated on numerous occasions that his chief targets for this year after the French Open and Wimbledon titles, as well as the Olympic Games in Paris.

“I don’t feel like I’m chasing anything now. I feel like I’m creating. That’s kind of a mindset I have,” said Djokovic.

“Of course, my greatest motivation is still love for the game. I really like competing. So as simple as that. Then, you know, I always have goals, you know, and to win another slam, to be No. 1 again, to finish the year as No. 1. Those are let’s say the big goals.

“I don’t feel like I’m chasing anything now. I feel like I’m creating. That’s kind of a mindset I have,” said Djokovic.

“Of course, my greatest motivation is still love for the game. I really like competing. So as simple as that.

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“Then, you know, I always have goals, you know, and to win another slam, to be No. 1 again, to finish the year as No. 1. Those are let’s say the big goals.”

Serena Williams' Ex-Coach Snubs Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz For Novak  Djokovic in Bold Prediction - The SportsRush

The challenge of playing week after week on the ATP Tour has been highlighted by the fitness issues afflicting Sinner, Alcaraz and Medvedev, with their bodies letting them down at a pivotal phase of the year.

Djokovic will need to raise his game to cash in on the misfortune of his big rivals, with some of his performance this year at a depleted level that will give lower-ranked players a chance to beat him.

Yet over a best-of-five-set format at the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic will fancy his chances of getting back onto the top step of winners’ podium at a time when the other member’s of the current top four in the rankings are all struggling.

Sinner’s absence from the Rome Masters ensured Djokovic will toast his 37th birthday as world No 1.

If he can win the French Open and Wimbledon once again this summer, it could give him a platform to aim for another year-end world No 1 ranking, with his weeks at the top after the age of 30 now up to a remarkable 200.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will meet in the Wimbledon final | Marca

He will not retain the world No 1 ranking heading into the French Open, ensuring his run at the top of the ATP list will be stretched to at least 428 weeks.

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Djokovic would need to continue his career well into 2026 to have a chance of holding the world No 1 spot for what would previously have been viewed as impossible 500 weeks, but anything is possible from this remarkable champion.

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number two and favorite to win the Rio Open, sat down for an interview with MARCA on Monday after a long day visiting the governor of Rio de Janeiro at the Palacio das Laranjeiras.

Answer: I don’t think I’m far away, but I still have to reach that level that I have already shown on many occasions, both in tennis and confidence, knowing how to manage certain moments.

Q: What is Jannik Sinner doing right to win five titles in four and a half months?

A: I have always said that there is no secret. He has worked very hard and it shows. In every tournament he is very focused on the things he has to do, he is a hard worker. I said it with Juan Carlos [Ferrero] many times when we see him. If I compare him with the Sinner of before, he has changed to [become] a professional. Before he was [a professional], but now he is even more so, working every day and having things clear. The day-to-day work pays off and that is what has happened with Jannik, and I am happy for him and his team.

Q: Would you like to play with Rafa Nadal again before he retires? At Roland Garros, for example?

Novak Djokovic leaps to Carlos Alcaraz's defence after controversial move

A: Of course I would like to, wherever it is. I would like to face him again, to compete against him, that face to face on the court… I would like to experience it one or two more times. As many as possible. It would be incredible to be able to play him again.

Q: You commented on Saturday, after losing the semifinal of Buenos Aires to Nicolas Jarry, the defeat hurt you. Which match that you lost hurt you the most?

A: There have been several defeats that have hurt me, like those of Zverev and Djokovic in the ATP Finals and the last one of Jarry in Buenos Aires.

Q: The last time you cried over a defeat?

A: I’m not sure, but I would say after losing in the semifinals of the ATP Finals in Turin against Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz & Novak Djokovic Practise Together In Paris | ATP Tour |  Tennis

Q: Rafael Nadal commented last week in an interview that Novak Djokovic is the best in history. Is the GOAT debate over?

A: Everyone has their own perception of things. For some it is Djokovic the best, for others it is Rafa, for others it is Federer. Rafa said that it is Djokovic at the level of numbers and I also think so. At the level of numbers, Djokovic is the best in history, there is no doubt about that. I think to say who is the best is something that goes beyond the numbers. All three are there and for me all three are the best.