Carlos Alcaraz He debuted at the ATP 250 tournament on clay in Buenos Aires as world number two. With 6,730 points, 340 behind the Serbian Novak Djokovicthat robbed him of the No. 1 by winning his tenth Australian Open, which the Spaniard missed due to a muscle injury in his right leg.
Along with the stomach injury he suffered in November, the Murcian spent 102 days out of the circuit, more than three months without stepping foot in an official tournament.
However, the 19-year-old phenom from El Palmar returned with ultrasonic speed, winning his seventh professional title. A rare comeback. The final victory over the British Cameron Norrie led him to lift the Buenos Aires trophy, very Argentine, a gourd and silver partner with a quebracho pedestal. A nod to the traditional use of this infusion. But he also got a check for $95,305 and 250 world ranking points.
Despite this advantage, Alcaraz dropped his number from 6,730 to 6,480, giving 250 points, reaching 590 away from Novak Djokovic, who did not compete. Why did the Murcian defend nothing in Buenos Aires?
Because there is a slight gap in the 2023 ATP calendar with respect to 2022, and Carlos Alcaraz has delivered 500 champion points of Rio de Janeiro ATP, before they hit the track. He will show the crown next, from February 20 to 26, and everyone will add for the rank. And 250 from Buenos Aires will be extra booty for a year.
This means that Alcaraz will approach Djokovic again during his participation in Rio. Depending on how he does it, he has a greater or lesser chance of regaining the number 1 position in a distance duel between the two. From February 27 to March 4, the Murcian is on Acapulco ATP 500, while the Serbian will compete in the Dubai ATP 500.
They will come later Indian Wells and Miami ATP Masters 1000, where Alcaraz will defend 360 and 1,000 points, respectively. It is 0 Djokovic, who requested a special permission to enter the United States, which at the dates of the events has not yet lifted the ban on foreigners who have not been vaccinated.
Without forgetting that behind came the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (5,940) and the Norwegian Casper Ruud (5,515).
Rafael Nadal will remain sixth for now. A hip injury jeopardized a top 10 status that began in April 20205, without delay. The 500 points from Acapulco and the 600 from Indian Wells will fall from his account if he confirms a foreseeable return to the European ground tour, in April. I will add all the achievements in Monte Carlo and Godó, where he caused a loss due to injury in 2022.
The Russian is back in the top-10 Daniel Medvedev who moved up three steps by winning the indoor APT 500 in Rotterdam.
This is the ATP world ranking
1. Novak Djokovic (Srb) / 7,070
2. Carlos Alcaraz (Span) / 6,480
3. Stefanos Tsitsipas (Gree) / 5,940
4. Casper Ruud (Nor) / 5,515
5. Andrey Rublev (Russian) / 3,860
6. Rafael Nadal (Span) / 3,815
7. Taylor Fritz (USA) / 3,660
8. Daniil Medvedev (Russian) / 3,250
9. Felix Auger-Aliassime (Can) / 3,200
10. Holger Rune (Also) / 3,161
11. Hubert Hurkacz (Pol) / 2,995
12. Jannik Sinner (Ita) / 2,745
13. Cameron Norrie (GBR) / 2,615
14. Karen Khachanov (Russian) / 2,470
15. Frances Tiafoe (USA) / 2,350
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
