Rankings watch: Will Djokovic stay No.1 on grass?

Reigning Wimbledon champion and world No.1 Novak Djokovic enters the 2019 grasscourt swing in a strong position.

The Serb has the pressure of 2300 ranking points to defend – but also has the added buffer of a 4770-point lead over No.2-ranked rival Rafael Nadal.

With Nadal defending semifinals points at Wimbledon and not entering any lead-in tournaments on grass, Djokovic’s hold on the No.1 ranking looks safe.

Roland Garros finalist Dominic Thiem, who was impacted by injury at Wimbledon last year, and world No.5 Alexander Zverev both have few points to defend on grass.

Kevin Anderson is in a much different situation. The South African is defending 1200 points after his sensational run to last year’s Wimbledon final – which equates to 33 per cent of his current ranking total. An elbow injury has restricted Anderson to only three tournaments so far this season, adding to the pressure he faces.

John Isner, who lost to Anderson in the longest Grand Slam semifinal in history, is also returning from an injury lay-off and facing a lot of ranking pressure. The American is defending 720 points – which is 26 per cent of his current total.

^ Auger-Aliassime competed in ATP Challenger claycourt events during last year’s grass court swing. He has 167 points to defend during this period.

^^ Wimbledon was the only grasscourt event that Djere played in 2018. He earned 155 points from ATP Challenger clay court tournaments during this period.