Without playing a point, Murray seals No 1 spot

Andy Murray poses for pictures after winning the Paris Masters tennis tournament men's singles semifinals. [Photo/Agencies]

No matter the result of the final, the 29-year-old Murray becomes the first Briton to hold the top spot since the rankings began in 1973, and the oldest first-time No 1 since John Newcombe at 30 in 1974.

In an era dominated by Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Djokovic, Murray reflected on how hard it has been to become No 1. He has spent 76 straight weeks at No 2.

"It's been such a difficult thing to do because of how good the guys around me have been, the guys ahead of me," Murray said.

"They are three of the best players that have ever played the game ... some of the years that they have had in that period, as well, have been, I mean, ridiculous, really. Like three slams and double slams ... So, you know, it's taken a great year to get there."

A turning point in Murray's career came when he hired eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl as a coach in 2011. During their first stint, Lendl managed to turn Murray from a four-time Grand Slam runner-up into a two-time major champion.

Murray won Olympic gold in London in 2012 and the US Open the same year. In 2013, he became the first British man to triumph at Wimbledon in 77 years.

When Lendl left, Murray hired Amelie Mauresmo in 2014. She helped him climb the rankings following back surgery, but their partnership ended in May without any new major titles. Lendl rejoined Murray before Wimbledon, a week after the Scot lost to Djokovic in the French Open final, to work alongside Murray's full-time coach Jamie Delgado.

The move paid off immediately: Murray claimed a second title at the All England Club and a second gold medal at the Rio Olympics. He won his third straight tournament last week in Vienna, and has lost only three matches since the French Open.

"Ivan has helped me a lot in the periods we have spent with each other," Murray said. "The first time, I have the best period of time in my career, and since Wimbledon it's been a great run."

Djokovic held the top spot for 122 consecutive weeks, and 223 weeks overall. But after winning the French Open for the first time in June, his form has dipped. Since then, he's won only one of his six tournaments.

One person was quick to congratulate Murray on Saturday - his mother Judy.

"You've come a long way baby," Judy Murray tweeted, with an old photo of the two of them on a tennis court followed by the number 1 and a heart.