Rankings watch: Nadal close to No.1 return

Published by Leigh Rogers

ON THE MOVE: US Open champion Rafael Nadal is edging closer to the world No.1 ranking; Getty Images
Who has the most ranking points to defend in the final weeks of the 2019 ATP season? We crunch the numbers …

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.

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