Tipsarevic Eager To Keep Epic Rankings Rise Rolling

  • Posted: Apr 28, 2017

Tipsarevic Eager To Keep Epic Rankings Rise Rolling

Apr282017

The Serbian targets the Top 30 in the Emirates ATP Rankings by the end of 2017

After retaining his title at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Qingdao, China, last weekend, Janko Tipsarevic tweeted #keepdigging.

The former World No. 8 in the Emirates ATP Rankings has had to be incredibly patient, with the best part of two years on the sidelines. Persistent foot issues, specifically in his left heel, which included two surgeries to remove a benign tumor, and then right knee patella tendinitis, kept the 32 year old out of competitive action until the spring of 2016.

He was finally back on court and raring to go, but the Serbian had plummeted to World No. 528 this time last year. Within 12 months, Tipsarevic’s dedication has seen him soar up the ranking as the biggest 52-week mover into the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings. Before playing the Challenger in Anning, China, this week, the Tecnifibre player had risen an astounding 457 places to World No. 71.

Biggest 52-Week Moves To Top 100 Of Emirates ATP Rankings

Player 25 April 2016 24 April 2017 Move
Janko Tipsarevic  No. 528 No. 71 +457
Juan Martin del Potro No. 337 No. 33 +304
Florian Mayer No. 267 No. 47 +220
Daniil Medvedev No. 265 No. 63 +202
Ernesto Escobedo  No. 260  No. 85  +175 
Steve Darcis  No. 174  No. 53  +121 
Frances Tiafoe  No. 191  No. 72  +119 

To put that jump into context, 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro’s much heralded 2016 comeback launched the Argentine 304 spots from No. 337 to No. 33.

Another standout mover is #NextGenATP prospect Danill Medvedev. The Russian is embedded in the Top 100 courtesy of a 202-position rise to World No. 63.

Despite achieving such an impressive and rapid return to the Top 100, Tipsarevic is still eager to keep climbing.

“If I am injury free, my goal for the end of the season would try to be around No. 30 in the rankings,” claimed Tipsarevic, which would provide a seeding for Grand Slam events. “I’m not thinking about whether I’m No. 80, No. 90 or No. 70, because my goal is to get back into the Top 30.”

He started 2017 with two ATP Challenger Tour titles in Bangkok. This week in Anning, Tipsarevic has reached the semi-finals without dropping a set.

“I choose to come to Asia, instead of playing on the clay in Europe, because I truly love playing in Asia,” added the Serbian. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the ATP World Tour or the ATP Challenger Tour, I always pick up a lot of points here.”

Combining his three titles and continued success in Kunming, Tipsarevic is 18-0 in ATP Challenger Tour matches this season.

The Qingdao success clinched his 14th Challenger title with a 6-3, 7-6(9), victory over qualifier Oscar Otte, who he could meet again in the Kunming final.

“I have a lot of expectations as I feel I’m playing a lot better than last year. I had some tough opponents (in Qingdao), so I was extremely happy to defend my title without dropping a set. I feel it will give me a lot of confidence for the next Challengers coming up.”

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