Roger Federer hasn't played since March 24, but with Rafael Nadal's loss last week in Madrid, the Swiss has reclaimed the ATP No. 1 ranking. (AP)
Nadal, who won the Masters 1000 event in Madrid last year, needed to defend all of his champion’s points to hang onto the ATP tour's top spot, but those hopes were cut short by a 7-5, 6-3 loss to Dominic Thiem.
Federer will now begin his 309th career week at No. 1. His first 308 career weeks at No. 1 came in four stints: February 2, 2004 to August 17, 2008 (237 weeks); July 6, 2009 to June 6, 2010 (48 weeks); July 9 to November 4, 2012 (17 weeks); and February 19 to April 1, 2018 (6 weeks).
The Swiss will miss the French Open for the third straight year and then make his return to the tour for the grass-court season with scheduled stops in Stuttgart, Halle and, of course, Wimbledon.
After his quarterfinal loss to Thiem last Friday, Nadal was asked about the ranking situation.
“Talking about No. 1, of course I prefer to be No. 1 than No. 2, and No. 3 than No. 5. I have said this a million times. And I’ve lost No. 1 before. But what makes me happy is I feel fit, and I can compete with possibilities every single week. This is my final goal: to be happy. That’s what I’m working on.”
Nadal may not be No. 2 for long—the 16-time Grand Slam champion can take the top spot right back from Federer by winning the Masters 1000 event in Rome this week, something he’s accomplished an incredible seven times in his career (2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013).
He may also have a shot at revenge this week—Nadal, seeded No.1 in the Italian capital, could have a quarterfinal rematch against Thiem, who’s seeded No.6, should they both make it that far.
