When Can Djokovic Break Connors' Record For Most ATP Singles Titles

Novak Djokovic signed off the 2023 ATP tennis season by bagging the ATP Finals for a record seventh time last Sunday, which, incidentally, was his seventh title of 2023.

Djokovic won the most singles ATP titles this year than any other player despite only playing 12 ATP events. He was also the highest prize money earner in 2023, pocketing $15,952,044 - the ninth time he has crossed the $10 million mark in prize money in a single season.

Djokovic was also crowned the year-end No. 1 for an unprecedented eighth time and was guaranteed to reach the 400th week as World No. 1. The week in Turin was a record breaker on so many levels, yet Djokovic left without conquering one longstanding record - the most ATP singles titles.

Djokovic's ATP Finals win was the 98th ATP title of his illustrious career and ranks third in the all-time men's list. Roger Federer has won 103 titles, and the current leader is American great Jimmy Connors who lifted an astonishing 109 career singles titles.

It's not a surprise that all three men have been ranked World No. 1 during their careers and Djokovic remains the only active member in the Top 3 of this list. This prompts the question, when can Djokovic realistically surpass both Federer and Connors and take this record?

For a tennis player in his late thirties, you're always told to make any projections with a pint of caution. But Djokovic is not an ordinary 36-year-old. And curiously, this record has started to play in the back of his mind. With 98 titles to his name, Djokovic is five short of Federer's tally of 103.

We recently analyzed how Djokovic could reach the 100-title mark at next year's Dubai Championships, where Federer attained this landmark four years ago. For Djokovic, he'll need six titles next year to eclipse Federer. And it looks like Connors will be safe at least for another year.

Djokovic needs 11 titles just to equal the American. The only time the Serb won that number in one season was in that extraordinary 2015 season. Because he is playing a limited schedule these days, it's illogical to think he'll get to that number next year.

The best bet certainly looks like he could move into second spot in 2024, potentially equalling or surpassing Federer. Djokovic has averaged at least four titles per season since 2018, but he'll need to increase that number to at least six within the next couple of seasons to break Jimmy Connors' record.