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LONGEVITY KING: NOVAK DJOKOVIC BEATS FEDERER'S TOP FOUR AGE RECORD

At 38, Novak Djokovic makes history as the oldest player to finish a year in the ATP top four, surpassing Federer's record.

Longevity King: Novak Djokovic Beats Federer's Top Four Age Record
Djokovic Passes Nadal and Federer

It's no surprise that Novak Djokovic keeps making history. In the 2025 season, he achieved his 16th top-four finish, moving past Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He also set a record that proves how long he's been great.

As of November 17th, when the ATP Year-End rankings came out, Djokovic was 38 years and 5 months old. This makes him the oldest player to end a year in the top four of the ATP Rankings. He beat Roger Federer's 2019 record, as well as the year before.

Djokovic himself is next on the list. In 2023, he reached World No. 1 and became the oldest World No. 1 to finish a year in that spot, at 36 years and six months. Rafael Nadal was World No. 2 in 2022 when he finished the year in that spot at age 36. Rod Laver (1974) and Jimmy Connors (1987) also held top spots until Federer came along in 2017 and 2018, followed by Djokovic and Nadal.

Djokovic is one of only 14 men to finish in the top four so many times. He's now done it the second most times, passing Jimmy Connors (who he frequently passes for records these days) and Rafael Nadal. He's only behind Roger Federer now, and if he plays at the LA Olympic Games, he could stay in this position for a few more years.

Even though Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are leading the sport and it's harder for Djokovic to win Grand Slams, he's still one of the best. He proved it again this year by reaching multiple major semi-finals and finishing top four, even though he didn't play in many events.

Jimmy Connors did it every year from 1982 onward, except for 1986. Rafael Nadal did it in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2022.

Andre Agassi did it three times, in 2001, 2002, and 2003. Stan Wawrinka did it in 2015 and 2016. Like Djokovic, the Swiss player is still playing and might be remembered as one of the most underrated top players.

John Newcombe and Rod Laver in 1974; Arthur Ashe in 1975; Ilie Nastase in 1976; Guillermo Vilas in 1982; John McEnroe in 1989; Ivan Lendl in 1990; and David Ferrer in 2013 all did it once.

Djokovic also finished a record eight of those years at world no. 1. In 2025, he won his 100th and 101st titles in Geneva and Athens. The 24-time Grand Slam champion also reached the final in Miami and the semi-finals in Shanghai. He was usually stopped by Sinner and Alcaraz, or by surprising runs from other players, so he could have won even more Grand Slams.

MIAMI FLASHBACK: NICK KYRGIOS'S LAST GREAT FEELING FUELS 2026 TOUR HOPES

After years of injury, Nick Kyrgios is targeting a 2026 return. He cites his comeback win over Mackenzie McDonald in Miami as his last strong emotional high.

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Miami's Win Over McDonald Was the Last Strong Emotional Match

Nick Kyrgios says he felt something strong during his Miami Masters match against Mackenzie McDonald earlier this year. He's aiming to get back on the court and compete on the tour again in 2026.

After missing almost all of 2023 and 2024 because of knee and wrist surgeries, Kyrgios started his comeback at the Brisbane International in early 2025. But the former world No. 13 struggled with wrist pain during the Australian tournaments and lost in the first round at both the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.

After his early exit from the Australian Open, Kyrgios suggested he might retire. The eight-time ATP champion then sat out February, came back in March, and retired in his first-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells. He then rallied to beat McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the first round in Miami. It was his first main-level win since the 2022 US Open.

Kyrgios lost to Karen Khachanov in the second round in Miami and hasn't played since because of wrist and knee problems.

Kyrgios said his match against McDonald was the last one that really moved him.

The last match that made me feel something strong was probably my match earlier this year against Mackenzie McDonald in Miami. I went through many years being injured, and winning a match at the Masters level was very special for me, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist told the UTS Tour.

In mid-December, Kyrgios is scheduled to play at the World Tennis League, a mixed team tournament in Bengaluru, India.

After that, he'll go to the United Arab Emirates to play against four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes match set for December 28 at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena.

WHY DANIIL MEDVEDEV RETURNED TO ST. PETERSBURG FOR CONTROVERSIAL TENNIS EVENT.

Daniil Medvedev is competing in the controversial Northern Palmyra Trophies exhibition. He cites a desire to win, see St. Petersburg, and entertain the home crowd.

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Medvedev Defends Decision to Play Controversial Event

Daniil Medvedev says he has many reasons for playing in a Russian exhibition that's been controversial since it began in 2022.

The Northern Palmyra Trophies started in St. Petersburg three years ago, after Russia lost its ATP and WTA events due to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The event, held in late November and December since 2022, has drawn some big names from both men's and women's tennis, both from Russia and other countries.

Even though Russian and Belarusian players weren't banned from tennis and could still play as neutrals, this St. Petersburg exhibition has caused controversy.

The Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom, which is believed to be funding Russia's war efforts, funds and sponsors the event.

Adrian Mannarino from France and Roberto Bautista Agut from Spain have been criticised for playing in past years, and Tallon Griekspoor from the Netherlands is playing this year.

While Alexander Bublik is also playing in 2025, Medvedev's presence has gotten the most attention.

Medvedev, 29, is one of Russia's best tennis players ever and one of only three Russian men to reach world No. 1.

He won the 2021 US Open and is still a major figure in men's tennis, finishing the year ranked 13th.

He has stated his distance from Russia's invasion of Ukraine and hadn't played in this event before 2025, but he's playing matches against Griekspoor and Bublik this year.

Speaking to Match TV before the event started, Medvedev explained his decision to play.

There are many reasons, Medvedev said.

I haven’t been to St. Petersburg since 2020. I’m happy to be back—it’s one of the most beautiful cities, if not the most beautiful.

“I’ll try to play my best, even though it's just an exhibition. I prepared like it was a Grand Slam, especially for the singles matches against Griekspoor and Bublik, because I lost to them this year.

“Yes, it's not official, but I’ll try to win. I want to play well and entertain the crowd.”

Besides Medvedev, Bublik, and Griekspoor, WTA players like Anastasia Potapova, Diana Shnaider, and Veronika Kudermetova are also participating.

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