The hot dance around the tennis throne

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A new tennis era has arrived. Namely, the one in which there is bitter fighting for the throne at the top of the world.

For years, the top of the world rankings was an almost non-combat zone. For example, from 2004 to 2008, Roger Federer set a record that has not been matched to this day. The maestro was number one in men’s tennis for 237 consecutive weeks. Novak Djokovic also almost had a subscription to the tennis throne later. The 35-year-old Serb has spent a total of 380 weeks – albeit with interruptions – in the world number one.

But the dominance of the old masters is over. Djokovic has been at the top again since Monday. But in the coming months it should be a huge task for the Djoker to assert himself at the top. The battle for number 1 is bigger than it has been in a long time. Here are the hottest contenders and their chances for the tennis throne:

The Norwegian is still looking for form this year. The only constant with Ruud has been the inconsistency for weeks. Since the final at the ATP Finals in Turin in November, the right-hander has finished five hard court tournaments in a row in the third round. Ruud is still fifth in the world ranking. And now the clay court season follows, in which the 24-year-old can play to his best. A jump to first place in the coming months would surely come as a big surprise.

Daniil Medvedev won his first ATP 1000 tournament in Miami on Sunday. The Russian is creeping ever closer to the world top, it was already the fourth tournament win for the 27-year-old this year. In addition to his good form, Medvedev has an extra: because he was out for months in 2022 after a hernia, the Moscow resident only has a few points to defend compared to the previous year. If Medvedev stays healthy, he too is a candidate for world number one.

Due to the final bankruptcy at the Australian Open, Stefanos Tsitipas (24) could not jump to the world top. The Greek is currently 3rd in the world rankings, but he has little chance of overtaking. Tsitsipas was too successful in 2022: last year in Rome he stormed to the final, in Madrid to the semifinals. He even won the title in Monte Carlo. Tsitsipas’ time could come in late summer when he can score a lot of points, especially on grass.

He ascended the throne last September as the youngest tennis player ever. Although Carlos Alcaraz has not been able to stay at the top for long since then, the hot phase for the Spaniard is only just beginning. At the gravel tournaments in Barcelona and Madrid, the 19-year-old Spaniard has many points to defend. If he succeeds, the current deficit of 640 points to Djokovic will soon be made up again.

Even at the age of 35, the Serb makes the young challengers despair again and again. And the previous year’s results suggest that it will continue to be so this year. Djokovic only has a tournament win to defend on clay in Rome. And this year too, entry problems should not harm the Djoker.

The Swiss play no part in the battle for the tennis throne. With place 48, Marc-Andrea Hüsler (26) is currently the best placed Swiss professional. He is behind leader Djokovic: 6247 points. With Stan Wawrinka (38) in 88th place, a second Swiss just made it into the top 100.

Source : Blick