Which male tennis player held the world No. 1 ranking for the most consecutive weeks? Roger Federer holds the record, with 237 straight weeks at the top.
Federer’s streak began on 2 February 2004, after he won the Australian Open and replaced Andy Roddick as No. 1. He remained there until 17 August 2008, when Rafael Nadal ended the reign. During that span, Federer won 43 tour-level titles, including 10 major championships.
The key word is “consecutive.” Novak Djokovic has spent more total weeks at No. 1—428 as of 2026—but his time at the summit was divided among several reigns. Federer’s overall total is 310 weeks, also fewer than Djokovic’s, yet his uninterrupted run remains the record.
Before Federer, Jimmy Connors held the consecutive-weeks record with 160 weeks from 1974 to 1977. Federer also finished as year-end No. 1 five times, including four consecutive seasons from 2004 through 2007.