ATP Rankings: Carlos Alcaraz set to overtake Novak Djokovic after Italian Open

Novak Djokovic has narrowly held onto top spot in the ATP Rankings after the Madrid Open, but he will likely lose the position to Carlos Alcaraz after the Italian Open. 

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who dropped 360 points after missing the Masters 1000 event in the Spanish capital with an elbow injury, now holds just a five-point lead over the 20-year-old Spaniard.

Alcaraz remains on 6,770 points following his three-set triumph over Jan-Lennard Struff on Sunday which saw him defend his Madrid Open title.

The US Open champion will, though, usurp the Serbian star to claim the world No 1 spot if he competes at the Italian Open, which begins this week.

Alcaraz, who will be making his Rome debut, will gain 10 points even if he loses his opening match at the Foro Italico, while Djokovic cannot gain points having claimed the 2022 title. Djokovic can only remain in top spot if Alcaraz withdraws from the tournament and he defends his Rome crown.

The only movement in the top 10 of the men’s rankings sees Taylor Fritz and Felix Auger-Aliassime switch places. The American gained 90 points after reaching the last 16 in Madrid, while the Canadian dropped 170 points following a second-round exit.

There are no changes in places three through eight, though Daniil Medvedev was the only player from this group to gain points following his fourth-round showing in the Spanish capital.

Karen Khachanov overtook Frances Tiafoe to claim 11th position after his quarter-final run. Meanwhile, semi-finalist Borna Coric climbed four places to reach No 16.

Matteo Berrettini also re-entered the top 20 despite not playing in Madrid due to Alexander Zverev falling six spots from 16th to 22nd. The German dropped 510 points after losing in the last 16 of the event, having been a runner-up last year.

Struff’s superb run to the final saw him surge up 37 places to a career-high ranking of world No. 28.

Andy Murray also returned to the top 50 following his title at the Aix-en-Provence Challenger last week. The three-time major champion’s ranking of No 42 is his highest in five years.

ATP Rankings top 20

1. Novak Djokovic Serbia – 6,775 points
2. Carlos Alcaraz Spain – 6,770 points
3. Daniil Medvedev – 5,330 points
4. Casper Ruud Norway – 5,165 points
5. Stefanos Tsitsipas Greece – 5,015 points
6. Andrey Rublev – 4,190
7. Holger Rune Denmark – 3,865
8. Jannik Sinner Italy – 3,525
9. Taylor Fritz United States – 3,380
10. Felix Auger-Aliassime Canada – 3,235
11. Karen Khachanov – 3,025
12. Frances Tiafoe United States – 2,755
13. Cameron Norrie Great Britain – 2,680
14. Rafael Nadal Spain – 2,535
15. Hubert Hurkacz Poland – 2,525
16. Borna Coric Croatia – 2,240
17. Tommy Paul United States – 2,170
18. Alex De Minaur Australia – 1,995
19. Lorenzo Musetti Italy – 1,960
20. Matteo Berrettini Italy – 1,832

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