Nadal replaces Djokovic at top spot
Tennis ace reclaims ranking as Berdych retires in China Open semi.
Tipped to eclipse Roger Federer’s record of 17 Grand Slam titles, Nadal has won 10 ATP World Tour titles in 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
BEIJING:
Rafael Nadal will return to number one in the world rankings after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych retired hurt at the China Open yesterday, capping an astonishing comeback for the 13-time Grand Slam champion.
The Spanish world number two only needed to make the final in Beijing to edge ahead of Novak Djokovic in the new rankings, which will be announced by the ATP tomorrow.
Nadal, who last topped the rankings in July 2011, has enjoyed a remarkable season, returning from injury to dominate the hardcourt tournaments.
He told reporters after the match that returning to top spot had capped “a great year, one of the best years of my career without any doubt”.
“Sure is special be back to the top position of the ranking after more than a half year without playing tennis,” he added. “I felt very excited during all the season, every time I went on court.”
Djokovic is currently on his 101st week as the top-ranked player.
Czech Berdych pulled out of his semi-final after receiving treatment for an injury with Nadal leading 4-2 in the first set.
The world number five told reporters after the match that he suffered a back injury when he reached for a shot.
“I don’t know actually what happened,” he said, adding, “Just the pain was there. That’s it.”
Berdych then praised Nadal’s achievement on reclaiming the top spot.
“That’s really an achievement for an athlete like him,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2013.
Rafael Nadal will return to number one in the world rankings after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych retired hurt at the China Open yesterday, capping an astonishing comeback for the 13-time Grand Slam champion.
The Spanish world number two only needed to make the final in Beijing to edge ahead of Novak Djokovic in the new rankings, which will be announced by the ATP tomorrow.
Nadal, who last topped the rankings in July 2011, has enjoyed a remarkable season, returning from injury to dominate the hardcourt tournaments.
He told reporters after the match that returning to top spot had capped “a great year, one of the best years of my career without any doubt”.
“Sure is special be back to the top position of the ranking after more than a half year without playing tennis,” he added. “I felt very excited during all the season, every time I went on court.”
Djokovic is currently on his 101st week as the top-ranked player.
Czech Berdych pulled out of his semi-final after receiving treatment for an injury with Nadal leading 4-2 in the first set.
The world number five told reporters after the match that he suffered a back injury when he reached for a shot.
“I don’t know actually what happened,” he said, adding, “Just the pain was there. That’s it.”
Berdych then praised Nadal’s achievement on reclaiming the top spot.
“That’s really an achievement for an athlete like him,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2013.