Carlos Alcaraz returned to the highest of the ATP rankings on Monday after his Indian Wells triumph, whereas Rafael Nadal dropped out of the highest 10 for the primary time in 18 years.
Spanish teenager Alcaraz cruised previous Russian Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s remaining to retake high spot from Novak Djokovic who was lacking Indian Wells as a consequence of being unvaccinated in opposition to Covid.
“I started the season effectively however struggled lots with accidents,” Alcaraz, who defends his Miami Open title this week, told Tennis Channel. “Two injuries in the legs in about four months, it was tough to stay strong mentally.
“It means a lot to recover the number one ranking. I’m not going to say it was easy, but it was easier because Djokovic was not playing.”
Victory over Medvedev meant Alcaraz turned the youngest man to win the Indian Wells and Miami Open titles, a feat dubbed the ‘Sunshine Double’.
“The factor that’s improved most is the psychological sport,” said Alcaraz, who lost to Medvedev in their first meeting in 2021.
“I got a lot of experience since that match. I was new on Tour at that time but now I’ve played a lot of great matches and won great titles. That’s made me more confident,” Alcaraz stated.
“Now I understand how to deal with robust moments.”
American Taylor Fritz dropped five spots to world number 10 after his title defence ended in the quarter-finals.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion had previously been inside the top 10 since April 2005.
ATP top 20
1. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 7,420 pts (+1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 7,160 (-1)
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 5,770
4. Casper Ruud (NOR) 5,560
5. Daniil Medvedev 4,330 (+1)
6. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3,415 (+4)
7. Andrey Rublev 3,390
8. Holger Rune (DEN) 3,325
9. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 3,065 (+2)
10. Taylor Fritz (USA) 2,975 (-5)
11. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 2,925 (+2)
12. Cameron Norrie (GBR) 2,815
13. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 2,715 (-4)
14. Frances Tiafoe (USA) 2,710 (+2)
15. Alexander Zverev (GER) 2,580 (-1)
16. Karen Khachanov 2,505 (-1)
17. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 2,230
18. Alex de Minaur (AUS) 2,085
19. Tommy Paul (USA) 2,045
20. Borna Coric (CRO) 1,905
(With inputs from Agencies)
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