Aussie legend loses title as youngest ever No.1

Novak Djokovic was the astir prolific satellite No.1 successful men's tennis past by the clip his reign temporarily ended successful February, 2022.

Djokovic archetypal claimed the No.1 ranking connected July 4, 2011, and held it until July 8, 2012. He has had six periods arsenic satellite No.1 and been a year-end No.1 a grounds 7 times.

His 2011 play was supreme, reaping his 2nd triumph astatine the Australian Open, positive maiden titles astatine Wimbledon and the US Open. His triumph implicit Nadal successful the Melbourne Park last that twelvemonth is 1 of the existent epics: a 5–7 6–4 6–2 6–7 (5-7) 7–5 triumph that astatine 5 hours and 53 minutes is the longest Grand Slam last successful history. The Serbian large is simply a 21-time Grand Slam singles champion, including 9 Australian Opens, extending his ain grounds astatine the Melbourne major.

But it was the 2022 Australian Open which resulted successful Djokovic relinquishing the apical spot successful the rankings, aft the Serbian was deported from Australia connected the eve of the tournament.

Djokovic had refused to beryllium vaccinated against COVID-19, meaning helium was incapable to support his title.

In an interrogation with the BBC, helium said helium wanted to beryllium capable to determine what went successful his body.

But helium went further successful a consequent travel up with Serbian TV.

"I was painted successful a truly disfigured manner. I was humiliated, if I whitethorn accidental so, connected a satellite stage," helium said.

"That is wherefore it is important for maine to person the accidental to accidental something.

"I volition repetition what I said to the BBC, due to the fact that I don't person much to add.

"I've done everything that was asked of me. There is simply a content that I was privileged successful a way, that I (got the exemption) due to the fact that of my stature.

"I volition support saying it and repetition it similar a parrot, though the BBC has chopped that portion of the interview: 10 days earlier me, a Czech tennis subordinate and Croatian manager entered Australia with the aforesaid aesculapian exemption.

"She played a tournament, helium coached his subordinate nary occupation astatine all.

"Suddenly I travel and determination is simply a problem. Why? You archer me.

"There were things that shook maine that I can't forget.

"What I tin bash is judge it and determination on. You volition ne'er spot maine moving distant from work oregon not wanting to reply a definite question. I americium not hiding anything."

Novak Djokovic aboriginal returned to the apical of the men's tennis rankings - aft being temporarily dethroned by Daniil Medvedev - erstwhile helium reached the Serbia Open last successful April, 2022.