Jannik Sinner continues to carve out his place among tennis greats. As of Monday, the 23-year-old has officially begun his 40th week as the world’s No. 1, a milestone that places him alongside Ilie Nastase and brings him one step closer to Andy Murray on the all-time list.

Sinner’s achievement is even more remarkable considering he joins an elite club of players who have held the top spot for at least 40 weeks during their first stint as world No. 1.

The challenge of maintaining the position is immense, but Sinner has proven he is built differently.

His name now stands alongside legendary figures such as Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, Lleyton Hewitt, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Ilie Nastase.

Even as he serves his current ban, Sinner will remain at the top of the rankings. If Alexander Zverev fails to overtake him by the end of April, Sinner will match Nadal’s 46-week mark and move further up the rankings. After that, his next target will be Novak Djokovic’s record.

Ilie Nastase, who became the first-ever world No. 1 in ATP history, held the position for 40 weeks between 1973 and 1974 during his initial reign.

Jimmy Connors, one of the most dominant players of his era, managed a staggering 160 consecutive weeks at the top after surpassing Nastase.

His streak could have reached an astonishing 245 weeks, but Bjorn Borg briefly interrupted his run for a single week in August 1977.

Nearly 25 years later, Lleyton Hewitt rose to prominence, taking the No. 1 ranking between 2001 and 2003 and accumulating 75 weeks at the top.

Then came Roger Federer, who rewrote the history books between 2004 and 2008, holding the No. 1 position for an extraordinary four and a half years.

Federer’s first reign lasted an incredible 237 weeks, a record that remains one of the toughest in the sport to surpass.

Rafael Nadal made his mark in the summer of 2008, dethroning Federer and holding the top spot for 46 weeks.

Novak Djokovic followed in 2011 after a phenomenal season, surpassing Nadal’s mark with 53 weeks at No. 1 during his first reign.

Andy Murray had his moment in 2016, battling Djokovic for the coveted No. 1 ranking and finally securing it after defeating his rival in the ATP Finals title match.

The Brit remained at the top for 41 weeks, surpassing Nastase and placing himself sixth on the list.

Now, Sinner is set to overtake Murray in just two weeks. If he maintains his lead heading into the Rome Masters, he has a legitimate shot at matching Djokovic’s 53-week record during his first tenure at No. 1.

That would cement his place as the fourth-longest reigning first-time world No. 1 in ATP history.

Should he regain top form after his three-month absence and deliver strong performances at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Sinner’s reign could extend even further.

At that point, Lleyton Hewitt’s 75-week mark might become his next target.

As Sinner’s journey continues, the tennis world watches in anticipation, eager to see just how high he can climb in the sport’s history books.

Novak Djokovic’s struggles in 2025 continued as he suffered a shocking early defeat at Indian Wells, setting an unfortunate record in Masters 1000 history.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion was stunned by Botic van de Zandschulp in his opening match, marking his third consecutive loss and another disappointing start to the season.

Djokovic, a five-time Indian Wells champion, had high hopes for a deep run but was unable to find his rhythm.

His serve was inconsistent, and his usually dominant forehand lacked precision. The Dutchman took full advantage, securing a commanding 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory.

This loss makes Djokovic the first top-10 player ever to lose to a lucky loser in back-to-back years at a Masters 1000 event.

Last year, it was Italy’s Luca Nardi who pulled off the upset—this time, Van de Zandschulp delivered the unexpected blow.

The defeat comes at a tough time for Djokovic, who has struggled to regain his best form after an injury at the Australian Open.

He also lost his opening match in Qatar, adding to a worrying trend. Now, he turns his attention to the Miami Open, where he has won six titles but has struggled in recent years, winning just two matches since his last triumph in 2016.

With his coach Andy Murray by his side, Djokovic will be looking for a much-needed turnaround as he navigates one of the roughest patches of his illustrious career.

Andre Agassi shares unseen photos of wife Steffi Graf for special reason

Tennis legend Andre Agassi gave fans a rare glimpse into his personal life, sharing never-before-seen photos of his wife, Steffi Graf, in celebration of International Women’s Day.

Posting on Instagram, the 54-year-old former world No. 1 uploaded a series of snapshots capturing Steffi in various moments an affectionate embrace at home, iconic Vogue covers, a black-and-white family portrait, and a serene coastal walk.

One particularly nostalgic photo showed the couple proudly holding their Wimbledon trophies, with Steffi looking elegant in a pastel blue silk gown and Agassi sporting a tuxedo and his signature long hair.

Alongside the images, Agassi wrote a heartfelt message: “Happy International Women’s Day to the strongest woman I know…” The post was met with an outpouring of love from fans, with many praising Steffi’s timeless beauty and the couple’s enduring relationship.

Graf, now 55, cemented her legacy as one of the greatest tennis players in history, winning 22 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Wimbledon championships, six French Opens, and five US Opens.

Agassi, a former world No. 1 himself, boasts eight Grand Slam titles and is regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

The pair first met at the post-tournament Wimbledon Ball after both winning their singles titles and began dating following the 1999 US Open.

They married in an intimate ceremony in Las Vegas three years later and have since built a life together, raising two children son Jaden, born in 2001, and daughter Jaz Elle, born in 2003.

Agassi has often spoken about their deep connection, emphasizing their love for simple, everyday moments. In an interview, he shared: “We love cooking together. We love hiking together. We even love grocery shopping together, dividing and conquering. So it’s real life. And we’re blessed.”

Reflecting on their relationship, he added: “Like success in life, love takes effort. It’s about balance, giving what you can, and not holding back when you have something to offer.”

After decades of success on the court, Agassi and Graf continue to inspire not just as athletes but as a couple who have built a life full of love, family, and mutual respect.

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) – Elina Svitolina expressed her gratitude to the Indian Wells crowd for their support of both her tennis and her home country after battling past American Ashlyn Krueger in a hard-fought second-round victory on Friday.

Svitolina, seeded 23rd, took the match 6-1, 7-6(8), 6-3, sealing the win on her ninth match point in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

Despite facing an American opponent, the Ukrainian received strong support from the stands, soaking in the applause after the intense contest on a chilly night in the California desert.

“I want to thank you for your support of Ukraine,” she said during her on-court interview. “It’s nice to get these little wins for Ukraine.”

With the victory, Svitolina moves on to the third round, where she will face either Danielle Collins or Hailey Baptiste.

A Ukrainian flag waved in the wind above Stadium Three, serving as a reminder of the ongoing struggles in her homeland. Among those cheering her on was her husband, Gael Monfils, who is set to face American Sebastian Korda in the second round on Saturday.

Svitolina has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s invasion three years ago, using her platform to bring attention to her country’s plight.

Her victory comes amid heightened political tensions, with U.S. President Donald Trump recently clashing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. In response, Washington temporarily froze military aid to Ukraine and suspended intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.

Adding to the uncertainty, Trump announced on Thursday that he would soon decide whether to revoke temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians who sought refuge in the U.S. due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.

For Svitolina, each win on the court is more than just a personal achievement—it’s a symbol of resilience and a tribute to her homeland.