The 22-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has returned to the world number one ATP rank after only 14 days following 19-year-old Carlos Alcaraz’s defeat in the Miami Open semi-final.
Alcaraz, who had leapfrogged Djokovic to return to No.1 spot after his victory in Indian Wells, made way for Djokovic after failing to defend his Miami crown.
The Spanish teen sensation had to complete the ‘Sunshine Double’ to maintain his top spot as he was also defending 1000 points. However, Alacara’s defeat against Jannik Sinner in the semi-final of the Miami Open paved the way for Djokovic to take back No.1 position.
Alcaraz had first moved to world number one following his victory at the 2022 US Open. But his absence from the 2023 Australian Open due to an injury and Djokovic’s record-extending 10th win in Melbourne, saw Djokovic returning to No.1 in January.
Djokovic will now begin his record 381st week as world number one in the ATP rankings. The Serbian is scheduled to return to the ATP Tour at the Monte-Carlo Masters, which begins on April 9. Djokovic is also now 71 weeks ahead of second on the all-time list, Roger Federer, who spent 310 weeks as No.1.
The battle for world number one rank will resume in Monte Carlo as No.2 Alcaraz will also be seen in action in the clay-court tournament. Currently, Djokovic (7160) has a 380-point cushion over Alcaraz (6780)
Italy’s Jannik Sinner, who moved up to number nine in the rankings, failed to take a career-high number six spot after losing to Dannil Medvedev in the Miami Open final.
In the updated rankings, Medvedev has now moved one spot to take fourth place. For Medvedev, it is his sixth straight ranking period in which he has moved up.