TORINO | There is this prestigious title at stake next week in Turin. To be crowned champion of the ATP Finals, in a draw that is made up only of the season’s best, is one of tennis’ most impressive triumphs.
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But the trophy – and the check for at least $3 million that accompanies it – is not the only honor that could be awarded next Sunday at the Pala Alpitour stadium.
Nadal and Tsitsipas in the race
The first world rank is also to be taken for two players: the Spaniard Rafael Nadal and the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, who are chasing Nadal’s compatriot, Carlos Alcaraz, king of the circuit since his victory at the United States Open.
Injured in the abdominals during the Masters 1000 in Paris, the 19-year-old monarch is however absent in Italy, which could make him lose his throne.
The crown, however, is not so easy to conquer. According to the ATP website, both Tsitsipas and Nadal will have to be imperial in Turin if they want to finish the season at the top:
- To become world number 1, the Greek will have to win the title without losing a single match in the group stage. His group, the red, is also made up of Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, as well as Serbian Novak Djokovic, who beat him twice this fall;
- Two scenarios are available to Nadal. Either he wins the title – which he has never managed to do, in 10 appearances – or he reaches the final without Tsitsipas remaining undefeated in the group stage.
209 weeks at the top
The first place in the world would be a first for Greek. At 24, Tsitsipas has never climbed higher than milestone three, which he first reached last year and currently holds.
Nadal has already reigned at the top of the men’s circuit for 209 weeks, which places him sixth in the history of tennis (Serbian Novak Djokovic is first, with 373 weeks).
The Spaniard has recently revealed that this top position is no longer one of his goals. Moreover, at 36 years and five months, Rafa would not be the oldest world number 1 in history, if he found this ranking next week.
The top position goes to newly retired Roger Federer. The Swiss returned to first place at 36 years and 10 months, in June 2018.
