Novak Djokovic suffers rankings fall that could hit his Grand Slam hopes

Novak Djokovic gave his ATP ranking a welcome boost with a run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, but he is set to slip down the rankings when the updated list is released on Monday.
Djokovic was forced to retire in his last-four clash with Alexander Zverev at the season-opening Grand Slam last month with a hamstring problem that is expected to rule him out for up to two months.
There are rumours that he may be tempted to rush back to play at the Qatar Open later this month, with his big lucrative role as an ambassador for Qatar fuelling his desire to play in that tournament.
Yet his hopes of hanging onto his position in the top eight of the ATP Rankings have been hit by the form of his rivals in the top ten, with Alex de Minaur now certain to claim a new career-high ranking of No 6 next week after his run to the final of the Rotterdam Open.
America’s Tommy Paul could also overtake Djokovic in the next few weeks after his fine form at the ATP Tour event in Dallas, with world No 5 Capser Ruud also ahead of Djokovic in the live rankings after he reached the latter stages in that Dallas event.
If Djokovic’s injury prevents him from playing until the clay-court season gets underway in April, there is a chance he could be ranked outside of the top eight in the ATP Rankings when he returns to action.
If he was ranked outside of the top eight by the time the French Open gets underway, Djokovic could face a battle against world No 1 Jannik Sinner, No 2 Zverev or No 3 Carlos Alcaraz as early as the last-16 of the tournament in Paris.
Djokovic has suggested his ranking is not a concern at this stage of his career, but he will want to stay in the top eight if possible as a run of games against the best players in the world would add to his challenge of trying to win a 25th Grand Slam title.
Despite his current injury woes and doubts over whether he will achieve his dream of winning a record-breaking 35th Grand Slam title, former British No 1 Tim Henman is convinced the Serbian will have a final moment of glory in the biggest tournaments of them all.
Henman is convinced Djokovic has one more major title left in his career and he is suggesting the grass courts at Wimbledon will be his best chance, as he eyes up his eighth title at the All England Club that would equal the all-time record held by his long-time rival Roger Federer.
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“I think Wimbledon is Djokovic’s best chance,” said Sky Sports Tennis analyst Henman. “He made the final last year on the back of knee surgery and with his confidence and understanding of grass court tennis, it gives him a chance.
“Realistically, how many players could have won the Australian Open? There may have been four or maybe five players. On grass, there is even less. Fewer players are comfortable on grass.
“[Jannik] Sinner is probably least comfortable on grass and then you look at Djokovic and [Carlos] Alcaraz. Beyond that, it’s difficult to predict.”
Djokovic is reported to be preparing to travel to Qatar ahead of the ATP 500 tournament that gets underway on February 17th and he is likely to assess his form and fitness if he practices in Doha ahead of the event.
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