This is how Rafael Nadal becomes number 1 in the world again!
With his US Open victory, Rafael Nadal has stalked back to the top of the world rankings - and can take the lead in autumn.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Sep 09, 2019, 06:59 pm
Because Nadal made up 1,280 points this week thanks to his win in New York , while Novak Djokovic (as defending title and losing in the round of 16) lost 1,820 points.
Current status:
No. 1 Djokovic:9,865 points
No. 2 Nadal: 9,225 points
The Spaniard is only 640 points behind the top.
Nadal can fully score in autumn
But the most important thing: Djokovic had to defend 2,600 points from the previous autumn: 1,000 points from his victory in Shanghai (victory against Borna Coric), 1,000 points from his final participation in the ATP Finals (defeat against Alexander Zverev) and 600 points from the final at the Paris Masters (loss to Karen Khachanov).
Rafael Nadal, however? Can fully score in autumn. Because he didn't play a single tournament in 2018 after the US Open (and then lost the world rankings to Novak Djokovic). At first, his knee continued to cause problems (which is why he had to give up against Juan Martin del Potro in the semifinals at the 2018 US Open); afterwards it tweaked in the abdominal muscles. Because of this, Nadal also canceled his start at the Paris Masters and in London.
Nadal could finish the season as number 1 with a strong annual finish, as in the seasons 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2017.
Thiem with good chances on London, Zverev has to score
In the annual ranking, the Race to London, Nadal is already clearly ahead: He has 9,225 points here, too, Djokovic follows with 7,265 points. In addition to the two leaders, Roger Federer (5,510 points) and Daniil Medvedev (4,805 points) are already qualified for the ATP finals at the end of the year.
Dominic Thiem follows at 5 with 3,845 points. Alexander Zverev has only 2,120 points as number 10, but is only 60 points behind the eighth-placed Kei Nishikori.