The ATP rankings for March 20, 2023 are out, and Rafael Nadal Rafael Nadal dropped out of the top 10 for the first time in 18 years.
Rafa, who has been out injured since a second-round exit at the Australian Open, fell to 13th place. Our champ had previously been inside the top 10 since April 2005. He moved up and down the rankings for nearly 2 full decades, but never did he fall out of the Top-10.
Spanish teenager Alcaraz cruised past Russian Daniil Medvedev in Sunday’s final to retake top spot from Novak Djokovic who was missing Indian Wells due to being unvaccinated against Covid.
The top 20 for the week of March 20, 2023 are as follows:
1. Carlos Alcaraz 7,420 pts (+1)
2. Novak Djokovic 7,160 (-1)
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas 5,770
4. Casper Ruud 5,560
5. Daniil Medvedev 4,330 (+1)
6. Felix Auger-Aliassime 3,415 (+4)
7. Andrey Rublev 3,390
8. Holger Rune 3,325
9. Hubert Hurkacz 3,065 (+2)
10. Taylor Fritz 2,975 (-5)
11. Jannik Sinner 2,925 (+2)
12. Cameron Norrie 2,815
13. Rafael Nadal 2,715 (-4)
14. Frances Tiafoe 2,710 (+2)
15. Alexander Zverev 2,580 (-1)
16. Karen Khachanov 2,505 (-1)
17. Pablo Carreno Busta 2,230
18. Alex de Minaur 2,085
19. Tommy Paul 2,045
20. Borna Coric 1,905
Rafa should soon have the chance to get back into the top 10 if he does return in Monte Carlo as he doesn’t have many clay points to defend before the French Open.
Rafa has won the Monte Carlo Masters a record 11 times in his career and will be bidding to win a 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open which gets underway on May 28.
Source: AFP
Thanks Marileena. I read Rafa’s statement in the press today, and quite frankly, I’m not surprised. As we know, he had intimated a couple of weeks ago, that he probably wouldn’t be ready for MC. Rafa has always been sensible with his recovery period after injury and this is no exception. The MC field is stacked and psychologically I think he’d feel more comfortable returning to his home tournament in Barcelona.
Lorna, I agree with you 100%. We have watched Rafa play hurt and it’s not pretty…Whether it was finishing a match in huge pain as he fractured his ribs during play… or his foot, that has been a chronic problem for him for many years amongst other things… I’m glad he’s not rushing back… And let’s hope, as you say, Barcelona will be his re-intro onto a tennis court!
That would be sweet!
So….I just read a statement from Rafa…. He’s not ready to compete at the level he feels he needs to and therefore he will not be competing in Monte Carlo…. He needs more time… We know Rafa reallllly wants to compete again…. No one wants to get back out there more than him… But at the end of the day, he needs to be 100% ready… The hip has to be healed…. He has to be able to play his hard hitting game and not feel the effects on his body…
Rafa… Take your time… Work up to it…
We have your back…
His message this morning on social media….
Hi everyone, I’m still not ready to compete at the highest level. I will not be able to play in one of the most important tournaments of my career, Monte Carlo. I am not yet in a position to play with the maximum guarantees and I continue my preparation process, hoping to return soon
I think Rafa is placing the emphasis on being able to “compete at the highest level.” Don’t know what that means for Barcelona. He really wants to be at his best when he comes back.
As far as I can remember you were always a high ranked good tennis player.
Ik hope you win as much as possible
Greetings
Magalie S Burke
For Margo and Lorna, at the time that Francis departed the press reports that I read said that he left the team because Rafa made it clear that he wanted to cut back on his schedule. Of course
Rafa didn’t have in mind cutting back in the way it actually happened.
No doubt the opportunity to take on a new challenge must also have had something to do with it.
Coach Roig was usually the main coach at Wimbledon while Coach Moya stayed home with the family. Sad of course that he left at all.
Thank you David. Still… 17 years… let’s see what the future holds for them both…all good I hope.
Hi David. Thanks for elaborating on Francisco Roig’s departure. I’m wondering if Rafa will elect to play at Wimbledon given, as you say, Roig was the coach usually in attendance there. Whatever the case, I’m sure mutual respect endures and I wish them both the very best.
My bet is that Rafa will play Wimbledon if he is fit. We all remember the injury and beating Fritz in the quarters in 2022. But in doing do he did reach the semi’s. He has often played well on grass and some of the other top players like Medvedev and Carlos aren’t that great on on that surface.
Did you all know that Francisco Roig, Rafa’s former team member, is now coaching Sloane Stephens? Found that while looking for updates on Rafa.
Yes, Margo. Francisco Roig went on to coach Sloane Stephens straight after his split from Rafa. I guess he wanted a new challenge – that of being the lead coach.
Thank you Lorna.
I did feel a tinge of sadness when it was announced that Roig was leaving to pursue a “personal project” as it was stated in some publications. I was under the impression that Roig would be with Rafa until he retired. I, of course, do not know their personal dynamics but can understand your point.
While we all wait with anticipation, Rafa has denied reports that his comeback at Monte Carlo is confirmed. According to our champ, he has stepped up training sessions but is unsure when he’ll return to the tour.
As reported by Marca, he said:
“I don’t know who gets this information….Obviously if it were true. I would confirm it, but unfortunately I can’t. I’m following my course and don’t know when I’ll play again., that’s the truth.
I’m in a phase of increasing work…. I can’t confirm that I will play in Monte Carlo, things are seen day by day. I prefer to say things when I really know them.”
Thanks for the update Lorna…