When the updated ATP World Tour Rankings are released on Monday, October 7, the tennis world will see Rafael Nadal finally clinching the world number one ranking. This was made possible after the Spaniard reached the final of the ATP 500 China Open in Beijing on Saturday after his opponent, world number five Tomas Berdych retired while trailing 2-4 in the first set with a back injury.
Since returning on tour in February following a seven-month absence due to a left knee injury, Nadal has recorded a 65-3 match win record which saw him winning ten titles, including two Grand Slam titles (French Open, US Open) and five ATP World Tour Masters titles. He remains unbeaten on hardcourt matches this year and this will be put to the test when he faces now former top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the final.
“[This is] a great year, one of the best years of my career without any doubt,” sad Nadal. “[It] sure is special be back to the top position of the rankings after more than a half year without playing tennis.”
Nadal said that he’s more proud of the results that he’s made so far this year and not much about the number one ranking.
“At the end, it’s just a number… What [makes] me happy is [everything] I did to be back where I am today.”
Nadal will begin his 103rd reign at the top of the rankings. He first achieved the first back in August 18, 2008 and held on the post for 46 weeks. He regained the number one ranking in June 7, 2010 after overtaking Roger Federer back then and held on to that post for 56 weeks.
Nadal, the 2005 China Open titlist, will attempt to win his second title in Beijing but will face a three-time champion Djokovic for the title. Djokovic is unbeaten at this hardcourt event.
