Roger Federer reclaims No. 1 ranking from Rafael Nadal without even playing
What's the story?
The pages of history are witnessing some really busy times as the top spot in tennis keeps getting reshuffled every couple months. It's almost like the old times, isn't it?
Roger Federer, has once again proved that he really is the wisest and inarguably the most deserving player for the top berth of the rankings as he climbed back to being the World No. 1 today, dismantling Rafael Nadal, without even playing a single match since March.
In case you didn't know...
After a long drought of titles followed by a spectacular 2017 and winning the Australian Open in 2018, Federer still was loitering near the top spot of the ATP rankings, unable to clinch it. Finally, he fought his way to the top and reclaimed the throne for himself when he defeated Tommy Haas in the semi-finals of the Rotterdam Open in February 2018, which he went on to win.
Federer has already spent over 302 weeks as the World No. 1 and as far as the records go, he has remained for the longest period between stints at No. 1, as the oldest player to claim the top spot and for the longest duration between first and last days at the summit of men’s professional tennis.
The heart of the matter
For Federer, who chose to sit out the entire clay season, following the path he took in his stellar 2017, this news should not come as a surprise to him. After losing in the 2nd Round of the Miami Open, Federer lost the No. 1 spot to arch-nemesis Rafael Nadal, who had to keep winning all the matches till the French Open to cement his position there.
Pursuing his La Undécima dreams, Nadal chased down titles at Monte Carlo and Barcelona and eventually succumbed to a loss against Dominic Thiem in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open. This loss brought an end to Rafa's unbeaten streak of 50 consecutive sets on clay and handed the World No. 1 spot to Federer, who isn't even playing the clay season and is yet to pick up the racquet since 24th March.
Nadal had a heap of rankings points to defend as he had won Monte Carlo, Barcelona, and Madrid in 2017. Having missed the clay-court season in 2017, Federer wasn’t defending any points, and thus, will remain on the same overall rankings points while Nadal drops down.
What's next?
If Nadal manages to regain his form and go on to win the Rome Masters and then the French Open, he will take back the World No. 1 title from the 36-year old Roger again. However feasible the chances might seem in the near future, it isn't going to be a cakewalk for Rafa.
Meanwhile, Federer has been busy training, with his eyes on the Stuggart Open that begins from 11th June and marks the commencement of the grass court season. Federer will be looking to win a record 9th Big W title as well as his 21st Grand Slam.
Author's take
Federer's grit and passion for tennis does not have a parallel. In his 37th year, he is still out there making records and easing into the top slots of the game. He truly is an inspiration and we cannot wait for him to go get his 21st title and keep reigning as the World No. 1.