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'On the horizon': Novak Djokovic's ominous warning to Roger Federer

chris young
Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Novak Djokovic is pictured with Roger Federer after their match at the 2020 Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic is closing in on Roger Federer's record for the most weeks atop the ATP rankings, having recently surpassed Pete Sampras for second. (Photo by DAVID GRAY/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite a controversy-riddled 2020 capped by his shock default from the US Open, Serbian ace Novak Djokovic still believes he’s going to be able to one-up longtime rival Roger Federer this year.

Djokovic won the Italian Open earlier this week following his shock exit from the US Open, consolidating his spot as world No.1.

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He’s remained at the peak of world tennis for 287 weeks - this week surpassing American great Pete Sampras to claim second on the table for the most weeks spent at number one.

Only Federer remains ahead of the 33-year-old, something Djokovic was acutely aware of after his victory over Diego Schwartzman in Italy, where he claimed his 36th ATP Masters crown.

Djokovic will continue his quest to surpass Federer’s Grand Slam record at the French Open.

“Well, of course, I am aware of the amount of weeks and I don’t know exactly the date but I know it’s going to be in beginning of the second quarter of next year if I eventually maintain my number one rankings,” Djokovic said.

“I am getting closer, in a very good position, I feel like I have been playing really well and being healthy which is great.

“Yes I mean those are the two professional goals that I have at the moment so the historic number one ranking is something that is on the horizon.”

Fresh twist in Greta Thunberg's spat with Roger Federer

Roger Federer has been dragged back into the fierce climate change debate, regarding his association with banking giant Credit Suisse, after the hashtag ‘Roger Wake Up Now’ started to trend after a protest.

Federer has been targeted by climate activists in recent times because of his sponsorship arrangement with the Swiss banking giants.

A dozen Swiss activists appeared in court back in January after refusing to pay a fine for playing tennis inside branches of Credit Suisse last year in a stunt intended to highlight the bank’s fossil fuel investments and “stop people acting like nothing is happening”.

Roger Federer is pictured during a charity tennis tournament.
Roger Federer's sponsorship deal with major bank Credit Suisse has once again been called into question by climate change activists. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

But Federer’s association with the bank became world news earlier this year when young climate change activist Greta Thunberg called out the Swiss maestro in a tweet regarding his sponsorship deal.

Thunberg retweeted a post from 350.org Europe claiming Credit Suisse had given $US57 billion to companies looking for new fossil fuel deposits.

“Roger Federer do you endorse this?” the tweet read.

Now, activists again have reignited the feud after the hashtag ‘Roger Wake Up Now’ trended overnight.

This time, environment activists 350.org tweeted: "Hey Roger Federer, why are you supporting a bank that is fuelling #ClimateBreakdown? #RogerWakeUp & cut all ties with @creditsuisse."

A large turnout was present in Bern, Switzerland, where activists occupied the square in protest of climate change.