<p>Novak Djokovic on Friday emulated childhood hero Pete Sampras by claiming the year-end world number one ranking for the sixth time.</p>.<p>Djokovic, 33, was confirmed in the position after Rafael Nadal, the only man who could deny him the top spot, opted not to play in the Sofia event next week.</p>.<p>Djokovic was also a season-ending world number one in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018.</p>.<p>"Pete was somebody I looked up to when I was growing up, so to match his record is a dream come true," said Djokovic.</p>.<p>The Serb star, a winner of 17 Grand Slam titles, had already moved past Sampras' tally of 286 weeks in the top spot in September.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/rafael-nadal-into-paris-masters-quarters-schwartzman-one-win-from-tour-finals-911954.html">Rafael Nadal into Paris Masters quarters, Schwartzman one win from Tour Finals</a></strong></p>.<p>Djokovic can go past all-time record-holder Roger Federer's mark of 310 weeks on March 8 next year.</p>.<p>"To finish the year as No.1 is one of the most impressive achievements in our sport, one which requires sustained excellence across the season," said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.</p>.<p>"To see Novak achieve this for the sixth time and match Pete's record is simply incredible, and he continues to cement his place in the history books."</p>.<p>Djokovic has compiled a 39-3 winning season, picking up four titles -- a record eighth Australian Open, Dubai, the Cincinnati tournament, which was staged in New York, and in Rome.</p>.<p>However, he was disqualified from the US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball before his bid to win a second Roland Garros ended in a tame defeat to Nadal in the final.</p>.<p>Djokovic was virtually assured of ending 2020 on top of the rankings when he reached the quarter-finals in Vienna last month.</p>.<p>He was stunned 6-2, 6-1 by Italian lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego in the Austrian capital, suffering the heaviest loss of his career in a best-of-three sets clash.</p>.<p>"I have done what I came here for, securing the number one. And I'm completely fine with today's result," he said to some consternation.</p>.<p>Later this month, Djokovic will attempt to secure a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals trophy in London from November 15.</p>
<p>Novak Djokovic on Friday emulated childhood hero Pete Sampras by claiming the year-end world number one ranking for the sixth time.</p>.<p>Djokovic, 33, was confirmed in the position after Rafael Nadal, the only man who could deny him the top spot, opted not to play in the Sofia event next week.</p>.<p>Djokovic was also a season-ending world number one in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018.</p>.<p>"Pete was somebody I looked up to when I was growing up, so to match his record is a dream come true," said Djokovic.</p>.<p>The Serb star, a winner of 17 Grand Slam titles, had already moved past Sampras' tally of 286 weeks in the top spot in September.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/rafael-nadal-into-paris-masters-quarters-schwartzman-one-win-from-tour-finals-911954.html">Rafael Nadal into Paris Masters quarters, Schwartzman one win from Tour Finals</a></strong></p>.<p>Djokovic can go past all-time record-holder Roger Federer's mark of 310 weeks on March 8 next year.</p>.<p>"To finish the year as No.1 is one of the most impressive achievements in our sport, one which requires sustained excellence across the season," said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.</p>.<p>"To see Novak achieve this for the sixth time and match Pete's record is simply incredible, and he continues to cement his place in the history books."</p>.<p>Djokovic has compiled a 39-3 winning season, picking up four titles -- a record eighth Australian Open, Dubai, the Cincinnati tournament, which was staged in New York, and in Rome.</p>.<p>However, he was disqualified from the US Open for hitting a line judge with a ball before his bid to win a second Roland Garros ended in a tame defeat to Nadal in the final.</p>.<p>Djokovic was virtually assured of ending 2020 on top of the rankings when he reached the quarter-finals in Vienna last month.</p>.<p>He was stunned 6-2, 6-1 by Italian lucky loser Lorenzo Sonego in the Austrian capital, suffering the heaviest loss of his career in a best-of-three sets clash.</p>.<p>"I have done what I came here for, securing the number one. And I'm completely fine with today's result," he said to some consternation.</p>.<p>Later this month, Djokovic will attempt to secure a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals trophy in London from November 15.</p>