Rafael Nadal drops out of top 100 in latest ATP rankings; Novak Djokovic reclaims World No. 1 spot

Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic (Source: Twitter)

Former World No. 1 Rafael Nadal has dropped out of the top 100 in the latest ATP rankings for the first time in 20 years. The 22-time Grand Slam champion lost 2000 ATP points, resulting in his lowest standing since 2003. Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic reclaimed the World No.1 ranking after winning his record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open 2023.

Nadal, considered one of the best players of the past two decades, has not played since the 2023 Australian Open after suffering an injury during the tournament and was forced to miss this year's French Open. The 37-year-old had hip muscle surgery earlier in June after his initial recovery from from the injury did not go as planned.

The Spaniard, who has won Roland-Garros a record 14 times, has now fallen from World No. 15 to 136 in the rankings due to his continued absence from the game. He recently announced that he will retire from tennis in 2024.

After winning the French Open, Serbian international Djokovic has retuned to the top spot in the ATP Rankings. He defeated Casper Ruud in straight sets to break Rafael Nadal's world record for most Grand Slam titles (22). Djokovic advanced to the final in Paris by defeating Carlos Alcaraz, who was ranked number one, in the semi-finals.

The 36-year-old became the first player to receive all four major trophies (Wimbledon, US Open, French Open and Australian Open) at least three times. While Alcaraz is now ranked second, Russia's Daniil Medvedev is ranked third, and Ruud, the 2023 French Open runner-up, is ranked fourth. Greek tennis star has moved up to fifth position.

Iga Swiatek retains top spot in women's rankings

In the women's rankings, Iga Swiatek retained the No. 1 spot she has held since April 2022 after defending her French Open title by defeating Karolína Muchová in the final. Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka had the chance to overtake Swiatek but lost to Muchova in the semi-finals at Roland-Garros and had to settle in second place. Meanwhile, Czech star Muchova climbed from 43rd to a career-high 16th.

Elena Rybakina, the reigning Wimbledon champion, advanced to third place. The Kazakhstani player had withdrawn due to illness before the third round of the French Open. Jessica Pegula of the United States fell two places to fifth, while Beatriz Haddad Maia became the first Brazilian woman to reach the top ten after reaching the semi-finals in Paris.