Djokovic will finish as year-end No. 1 again
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Novak Djokovic has clinched the year-end world No. 1 ranking for a second straight year. The last player to accomplish the feat in consecutive seasons was Roger Federer, from 2004-07.
Djokovic, who lost the No. 1 ranking to Federer in July following a 53-week reign, will reclaim the top spot next week when Federer drops his points from his 2011 title wins at the Swiss Indoors, Paris Masters and ATP World Tour Finals. Federer will then not be able to earn enough rankings points to finish the year ahead of Djokovic.
Last year, Djokovic became the first Serbian man to finish No. 1 in the history of the rankings (since 1973) with a 10-title effort, including three Grand Slam crowns. He first ascended to No. 1 on July 4 of last year, following his first Wimbledon triumph.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Only 16 different players have managed to finish as year-end No. 1 in the 40- year history of the world rankings.
Djokovic has enjoyed another stellar season in 2012, opening his campaign with a successful defense of his title at the Australian Open. He has compiled a circuit-best 70-11 match record going into this week's Paris Masters, where he will be looking to reach his seventh ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final of the season and add to his titles at the Sony Open in Miami, Rogers Cup in Toronto and Shanghai Masters. Djokovic also lifted the China Open trophy in Beijing and was a finalist at Roland Garros and the U.S. Open.