Djokovic Passes Nadal In Battle For Year-End No. 1

Novak Djokovic took the lead in the battle for year-end No. 1 in the ATP Rankings from Rafael Nadal by winning his fifth crown at The Championships, Wimbledon, on Sunday. The Serbian passed Nadal in the ATP Race To London with 6,725 points, taking a 500-point advantage over the second-placed Spaniard (6,225), after he saved two championship points to beat Roger Federer 13-12(3) in the fifth set of the final at the All England Club.

It is the first time for three years that Djokovic has led the year-to-date standings after the conclusion of Wimbledon. In 2016, he had 8,040 points, for an 815-point lead over Andy Murray (7,225), who produced a sensational finish to the season with five straight titles, ending with victory over Djokovic in the title match at the Nitto ATP Finals for year-end ATP Tour No. 1.

So, once again in 2019, the stage is set for what could be an exciting battle with Djokovic bidding to equal Pete Sampras’ six year-end No. 1 finishes (1993-98) and Nadal going for a fifth top spot conclusion (2008, 2010, 2013, 2017).

ATP Race To London as of 15 July 2019

Both players will be fully aware that 12 months ago, after Wimbledon, Nadal led the 2018 ATP Race To London with Djokovic in fifth position (3,355 to Nadal’s 5,760). Djokovic won three further titles (including the US Open) from five finals, which included a 22-match winning streak, to finish the year at No. 1. 

Last year, following The Championships, Nadal led second-placed Federer (4,020) by 1,640 points. In 2017, when the Spaniard finished year-end No. 1 for the fourth time, he led Federer by 550 points at this stage (7,095 to 6,545), with Djokovic in seventh position on 2,585 points.

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The 32-year-old Djokovic, who now holds a 35-6 match record in 2019, has already joined Nadal as a qualifier for the Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at The O2 in London from 10-17 November. In addition to the Wimbledon title, Djokovic won a record seventh Australian Open (d. Nadal) and also a 33rd ATP Masters 1000 trophy at the Mutua Madrid Open (d. Tsitsipas). He also advanced to his ninth Internazionali BNL d’Italia final (l. to Nadal).