After a dramatic Australian Open, the landscape of the ATP rankings has been shaken, but remains intact for the top two players.
Both Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic suffered confidence blows at the Australian Open when they crashed out of the tournaments during the first week. Djokovic was first to go after being outplayed by Denis Istomin in the second round. Then Andy Murray exit in the fourth round after losing to Mischa Zverev, who serve and volley tactics proved triumphant. Still, their position in the world rankings remains unchanged with Murray leading with 11,540 points, 1715 more than second place Djokovic.
Three more of the world’s top 10 remain in the same ranking position as they start with prior to the first grand slam of the season. Kei Nishikori (5), Marin Cilic (7) and Dominic Thiem (8) remain unhinged. Stan Wawrinka returns to his career high position of third.
The most significant changes to occur at the top of the men’s elite was caused by two players who has spent a combined total of 443 weeks as world No.1. Roger Federer’s (301 weeks as No.1) win over Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open has seen him surged up from 17th to 10th after being sidelined from the tour due to injury. Meanwhile, Nadal has risen three places to sixth.
1) Andy Murray GBR 11540 points
2) Novak Djokovic SRB 9825 points
3) Stan Wawrinka SUI 5695 points
4) Milos Raonic CAN 4930 points
5) Kei Nishikori JAP 4830 points
6) Rafael Nadal ESP 4385 points
7) Marin Cilic CRO 3560 points
8) Dominic Thiem AUT 3505 points
9) Gael Monfils FRA 3445 points
10) Roger Federer SUI 3260 points
Outside the top 10, Grigor Dimitrov continues his journey towards the top. The Brisbane International winner, who also reach the Australian Open semi-finals, dropped to a low of 40th last year, but has now risen to 13th. 11th placed David Goffin is also knocking on the top 10 for the first time in his career. The upcoming February tournaments will be essential for both players desire to crack the milestone.
The biggest risers
Istomin’s shock Melbourne run has contributed towards him being the biggest riser in the top 100. Three out of the four biggest risers are aged over 29. The only exception is 20-year-old Hyeon Chung. The South Korean, who is yet to crack the top 50, has risen from 105 to 73 after winning his seventh Challenger title in Maui, America.
Denis Istomin UZB (+37 placed to 80)
Hyeon Chung KOR (+32 places to 73)
Andreas Seppi ITA (+21 to 68th)
Mischa Zverev GER (+15 to 35)
Yoshihito Nishioka JAP (+14 to 85)
Chung’s rise tops a stellar week for the Next Generation
Chung’s rise comes in the same week as six out of the 10 youngest players in the top 100 also improve. Japan’s Nishioka, who lost to Chung in the Maui final, is now at a ranking best of 85th in the world. Alexander Zverev, the youngest player in the top 25, continued his rise to 22nd. Meanwhile, American teenagers Frances Tiafoe and Jared Donaldson made steady rises to 97th and 100th place. The injury-stricken Borna Coric also managed to benefit the fortunes of others by rising two places to 57th.
The full rankings can be seen at – http://www.atpworldtour.com/en/rankings
