Revealed on 3 Oct 2022 1:12 pm (UK Time)
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz occupy the highest two spots within the ATP rankings, marking the primary time that two compatriots rank No. 1 and No. 2 since Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi in 2000.
Whereas most tennis followers admire Nadal’s endurance and his rise to the No. 2 place, Alcaraz’s spot raises some questions as he topped the ATP rating with the bottom variety of factors.
Carlos Alcaraz’s triumphs
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who turned the youngest No. 1 in ATP historical past (19 years and 4 months) after the US Open triumph, begins his fourth week atop the ATP rankings.
Against this, he additionally set one other report. The Spaniard topped the rankings with simply 6740 factors. After the ranking system was modified in 2009 (in tournaments they started to offer extra factors, within the remaining phases – twice), that is the bottom determine for the No. 1 participant.
For comparability, right here’s what number of factors for the highest spot of the rankings had been required for 5 present gamers to turn out to be No. 1:
Roger Federer – 9825;
Rafael Nadal – 11595;
Novak Djokovic – 13285;
Andy Murray – 11185;
Daniil Medvedev – 8615.
Alcaraz defeated Casper Ruud 6–4, 2–6, 7–6, 6–3 to win the primary main tennis title on the 2022 US Open remaining. You probably have a have a look at the rankings after US Open-2019, then three ATP gamers had extra factors than Alcaraz has now. After the US Open-2018 – two gamers had extra factors. After the US Open-2017 – three once more.
New actuality in ATP Rankings
Usually, the pattern of getting fewer factors to say the primary place is simple. Additionally, not so many titles are required. Take Rafael Nadal for example. In 2005, 19-year-old Nadal received Roland Garros, 4 Masters, 11 titles and 79 matches in complete. But nonetheless, within the rating, he was inferior to Roger Federer.
Is it a brand new tennis actuality? It’s nonetheless early to reply it as a few non-tennis elements have influenced the rating for the final 3 years, together with the coronavirus pandemic, resulting from which successful factors had been frozen after which “thawed” in such a posh means. For instance, the factors obtained in 2019 had been nonetheless legitimate in 2022.
Regardless of Djokovic’s greatest efforts, the pandemic and his refusal to get vaccinated resulted in him lacking practically half the 2022 season, together with the Australian Open and US Open. It’s not that the Serbian participant would have received and it’s not that even having participated in these tournaments, he would now be No 1. Nonetheless, his absence had a severe impression on the rankings.
Furthermore, Wimbledon factors have been nullified. Alcaraz nonetheless can be No. 1, even when factors had been performed in London, with Wimbledon Champion Djokovic not even showing within the high 3. Alcaraz’s ascendance to the highest of the rating is a continuation of the brand new actuality that first appeared when Medvedev turned No. 1 with simply 6885 factors.
Last thought
Does this imply that Alcaraz is unworthy of No. 1? In fact not, this yr he has received the US Open and two Masters. General, he’s the tour chief within the variety of titles, finals, matches received, and even victories excessive 10 gamers.
Alcaraz will make his ATP Finals debut this yr after successful the under-21 equal Subsequent Gen ATP Finals, turning into the primary participant to attain it since Tsitsipas himself did so between 2018 and 2019. His compatriot, Rafael Nadal turned the primary participant to qualify for the 2022 Nitto ATP Finals, which will probably be performed from 13-20 November in Turin. Each, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas, additionally be part of the Spaniards to compete on the Pala Alpitour.
