Only two tennis players rely on themselves, while the other three dream of some results to reach the top. I know all the possible scenarios.
The US Open 2022 can give the world of tennis a new ATP ranking leader. There are five names dreaming of leading the world rankings when the final Grand Slam of the year is over: Daniil MedvedevRaphael nadalStefanos ChilliesCarlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud. Next, Let’s examine the cases and what each requires.
What needs to happen for Rafael Nadal to become number one in the world
Since Nadal (3rd) did not compete in last year’s US Open, he will not be defending any points. Thus, he will retain 5,630 points and add to his tally in this edition of the Grand Slam. The Spaniard will make sure to be number one if he is champion, but he can also achieve this if results are to be expected. No matter how badly he loses in the first round, if Medvedev, Alcaraz, Tsitsipas or Ruud do not reach the final, Nadal will be number one in the ATP ranking. Now if he reaches the final and loses it, only a loss to the Russian will stop him from reaching the top. Rafa has the most positive scenario.
What needs to happen for Daniil Medvedev to remain number one in the world
Medvedev (1st) is the defending champion and first place in the ATP ranking. Like Nadal, being the champion will ensure that he maintains the top. Any other result would make him dependent on other parties. Daniil has only one alternative to finish the US Open as world number one without becoming a champion: first, reach the final and hope Nadal misses the semifinals; second, that the champion is not Tsitsipas, or Alcaraz or Ruud.
What needs to happen for Stefanos Tsitsipas to become number one in the world
Tsitsipas (5th) started the list of tennis players who did not rely on themselves to become number one in the world. Although he is only defending the third round of the US Open 2021, being the champion does not guarantee him the lead: if he lifts the title, he will not have to face Rafael Nadal in that hypothetical final. In that case, the Spaniard will add 1,200 points for playing a certain match and go first. Another case could be that Nadal does not reach the semifinals and the Greek loses in the final but against a player other than Medvedev, Alcaraz or Ruud. Then there may be some rather complicated results, but the fact is that he has a chance to reach the top for the first time in his career.
What needs to happen for Carlos Alcaraz to become number one in the world
Alcaraz (4th) defended the quarterfinals. Like Tsitsipas, he will need to reach the final and win it against an opponent other than Nadal. If he loses in the final, the condition for him to emerge as number one is that Rafa cannot reach the quarterfinals and the champion is not Medvedev, or Tsitsipas or Ruud. It’s tough, but the 19-year-old Spaniard has a chance to become one of the youngest world number one in tennis history.
What needs to happen for Casper Ruud to become number one in the world
Ruud (7th) knows that the prospect of reaching the top of the rankings is difficult, but he has every right to be happy about being the first Norwegian to do so. In fact, what should happen is not very different from Tsitsipas or Alcaraz. Like them, he is set to win the title without facing Nadal in the final. Should he lose in the final, he must do so against a player other than Daniil, Stefanos or Carlitos. Also, Rafa shouldn’t have reached the quarterfinals.
Djokovic and Zverev, the most affected in this race at number one
Novak Djokovic (6th) was a finalist last year, so will lose all those points. It is that by not being vaccinated, he will not be able to enter the United States to play in the last Grand Slam of the year. For his part, Alexander Zverev (2nd) will also not play in Flushing Meadows as he is in full recovery from his ankle injury during the Roland Garros semifinal against Rafa Nadal, for which he had to undergo surgery.
Source: Tycsports
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
