The brightest stars of the next generation, Sinner and Alcaraz, lead this legendary list.
Winning Grand Slam titles is the pinnacle of success for any tennis player, but what truly separates a good player from a sporting icon is consistency. Remaining at the top of the ATP rankings is an immense challenge, given the relentless competition.
Only a handful of all-time greats have managed to stay dominant, stringing together long unbeaten runs while holding the World No. 1 spot. On that note, let’s take a look at the top five players with the fewest matches to reach 50 wins at ATP World No. 1.
5. Andy Roddick – 59 matches
It took Andy Roddick 59 matches to reach 50 wins as world No. 1, making him the fifth-fastest player in history. Roddick’s powerful serve and aggressive play helped him secure the 2003 US Open and Masters titles in Montreal and Cincinnati during his reign at the top.
The American earned vital ranking points and performed consistently well in the later stages of tournaments. Roddick’s notable achievements include finishing 2003 as year-end No. 1, reaching four additional Grand Slam finals, and being a mainstay in the world’s top 10 for much of his career.
4. Novak Djokovic – 58 matches
Novak Djokovic reached 50 match wins as World No. 1 in 58 matches, showcasing his relentless consistency and mental toughness. During this period, Djokovic won the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and Masters 1000 events in Paris and Rome, amassing a huge number of ranking points and maintaining a high win percentage.
The Serbian’s ability to perform under pressure and win on all surfaces has been a hallmark of his time at No. 1. Djokovic holds the record for most weeks at No. 1 and has completed the career Grand Slam twice, further cementing his legacy.
3. Roger Federer – 56 matches
Roger Federer took 56 matches to notch 50 wins as World No. 1, a testament to his dominance during his prime years. Federer’s points haul during this stretch was immense, as he captured major titles at Wimbledon and the US Open, along with Masters 1000 victories in Indian Wells and Cincinnati.
The Swiss maestro is revered for his elegant style, and all-court prowess allowed him to rack up wins efficiently, often dispatching opponents in straight sets. Federer’s notable achievements as No. 1 include a then-record 237 consecutive weeks at the top and a career Grand Slam, solidifying his status as one of the greatest players in history.
2. Carlos Alcaraz – 54 matches
Carlos Alcaraz reached 50 wins as world No. 1 in just 54 matches, making him the second-fastest player ever. Alcaraz’s explosive style and fearless shot-making helped him rack up points rapidly, including winning the Indian Wells Open, Madrid Open, and Wimbledon Championship in 2023, and then defending his crown at the 2024 Indian Wells Open again, while holding the top ranking.
The Spaniard’s achievements as No. 1 include becoming the youngest ever to hold the top spot and the first teenager to finish a season as year-end No. 1.
1. Jannik Sinner – 53 matches
Jannik Sinner reached 50 ATP wins as World No. 1 in just 53 matches, the quickest in ATP history. This remarkable pace highlights his consistency and dominance since ascending to the top spot. During this period, Sinner accumulated thousands of ranking points, bolstered by his triumph at the 2024 Australian Open and Masters 1000 titles in Miami and Toronto.
The Italian registered notable victories over several top-10 players including Djokovic and Alcaraz, thereby maintaining a win percentage above 90% as No. 1. Sinner has lost just one match in 2025 as of May 18 (after the Italian Open), with his defeat to Alcaraz in the final putting an end to a stunning 26-match winning streak.
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