ATP battle for No 1 spot: What Novak Djokovic needs to do at US Open to replace Carlos Alcaraz at the top
Novak Djokovic is primed to reclaim the world No 1 ranking from Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open with the equation pretty simple.
Alcaraz has been top of the ATP Rankings since June 26 and by reaching the Cincinnati Open final he ensured he would remain in top spot for the duration of the US Open.
However, with Djokovic defeating the Spaniard in Sunday’s ATP Masters final in Ohio, he all but sealed his return to No 1 as he picked up 1,000 ranking points and in the process reduced Alcaraz’s lead at the top to just 20 points.
The ATP Live Rankings has Alcaraz on 9,815 points and Djokovic on 9,795 points, which means the 23-time Grand Slam winner only needs to win his first-round match at Flushing Meadows even if his 20-year-old rival goes on to win the title again.
The reason?
Alcaraz is the reigning US Open champion so he had 2,000 points to defend while Djokovic has no points to defend as he missed last year’s edition due to the United States’ travelling restrictions for unvaccinated foreign nationals.
The Serbian will earn 45 points if he reaches the second round and it means he will move ahead of Alcaraz even if the Spaniard successfully defends his title.
It means the No 1 ranking is set to change hands for a seventh time in 2023 after the conclusion of the final Grand Slam of the year with Djokovic set to extend his record for most weeks at No 1 in the rankings to 390 weeks and counting. He could even reach the magical 400 mark before the end of the year.
Alcaraz started the season at No 1 before Djokovic replaced him on the back of winning the Australian Open and they have been playing musical chairs ever since.
Carlos Alcaraz-Novak Djokovic battle for No 1 in 2023
Carlos Alcaraz – September 12, 2022 to January 29, 2023
Novak Djokovic – January 30, 2023 to March 19, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz – March 20, 2023 to April 2, 2023
Novak Djokovic – April 3, 2023 to May 21, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz – May 22, 2023 to Jun 11, 2023
Novak Djokovic – June 12, 2023 to June 25, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz – June 26, 2023 to present
The other potential big changes in the rankings will see Casper Ruud possibly dropping out of the top 10 as he has 1,200 points to defend and has been in poor form recently. The Norwegian will effectively start the tournament on 3,525 points and that would put him in 10th place, but if those lower in the rankings enjoy a deep run then he could slump further.
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