Is Novak Djokovic’s long-held position at the top of the rankings under threat?
The Serbian has held the world No.1 position for 45 consecutive weeks — but that streak is now at risk of ending before the end of the 2019 season.
After winning the US Open, No.2-ranked Rafael Nadal moves to within 640 ranking points of his rival. The good news for the Spaniard is he can only gain points this season, with nothing to defend after missing the final months of 2018 with injury.
Djokovic, on the other hand, is defending 2600 ranking points before season end — which equates to 26 per cent of his current ranking total.
Reigning ATP Finals champion Alexander Zverev is also facing significant pressure in the rankings in the final weeks of the season, with half of his current ranking points total earned in late 2018.
Karen Khachanov, the reigning Paris Masters champion, is in a similar position.
Rank | Player | Points defending | % of points total |
1 | Novak Djokovic | 2600 | 26% |
2 | Rafael Nadal | 0 | 0% |
3 | Roger Federer | 1620 | 22% |
4 | Daniil Medvedev | 925 | 17% |
5 | Dominic Thiem | 910 | 19% |
6 | Alexander Zverev | 2065 | 50% |
7 | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 530 | 15% |
8 | Kei Nishikori | 1250 | 37% |
9 | Karen Khachanov | 1385 | 49% |
10 | Roberto Bautista Agut | 315 | 12% |
11 | Fabio Fognini | 555 | 22% |
12 | Gael Monfils | 375 | 15% |
13 | Matteo Berrettini | 121 | 5% |
14 | David Goffin | 0 | 0% |
15 | Borna Coric | 780 | 38% |
16 | Diego Schwartzman | 190 | 9% |
17 | Nikoloz Basilashvili | 635 | 33% |
18 | Kevin Anderson | 1260 | 67% |
19 | Stan Wawrinka | 135 | 7% |
20 | John Isner | 225 | 12% |
21 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 140 | 8% |
22 | Guido Pella | 120 | 7% |
23 | Benoit Paire | 198 | 13% |
24 | Milos Raonic | 145 | 10% |
25 | Grigor Dimitrov | 135 | 9% |
26 | Lucas Pouille | 55 | 3% |
27 | Nick Kyrgios | 75 | 5% |
28 | Marin Cilic | 435 | 30% |
29 | Dusan Lajovic | 185 | 13% |
30 | Taylor Fritz | 250 | 18% |
One to watch: US Open semifinalist Matteo Berrettini is currently ninth on the ATP Race to London and with only 121 points to defend before year-end, is a chance to make his top 10 debut in the rankings.
Set to fall: Kevin Anderson has announced he is missing the remainder of the 2019 season due to injury, which is bad news for the South African’s ranking. With 1260 points to defend in coming weeks, he risks falling outside the top 100.
15 September 2016
The greatest champions, goes the old adage, are those who leave their sport better than th... More
13 November 2017
Jack Sock had just played half volley against Roger Federer at the ATP Finals that lofted... More
23 March 2017
Think umpiring is an easy job? Think again. Because umpire's don't just have to keep an ey... More
29 January 2016
Australian tennis legend Rod Laver has put his name to a proposed new men's team event sty... More