ATP Rankings: Surging Draper cracks top 10, absent Sinner increases his lead

Newly-crowned Indian Wells champion Jack Draper has broken into the top 10 of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career, surging seven places up the ladder to sit at No 7 in the world.

Courtesy of clinching the biggest title of his career in the Californian desert, the Briton halved his ranking in the space of a fortnight to earn a seat at tennis’ top table.

Perhaps the most surprising development in the ATP rankings is that world No 1 Jannik Sinner – who is currently serving a three-month doping ban after being inadvertently contaminated with the anabolic steroid clostebol by his physiotherapist – has increased his lead at the top of the board by 190 points over second-placed Alexander Zverev.

alcaraz and zverev lose ground on sinner after missed opportunity at indian wells

The German fell early to Tallon Griekspoor, meaning he missed the chance to make significant gains on his Italian rival. Sinner’s 400 points from last year’s Indian Wells had already been lost as a consequence of his positive doping test, meaning that he did not lose any further points through his absence this week.

Two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz’s loss in the semi-finals meant he lost 600 ranking points, also falling further behind Sinner in what has been a huge missed opportunity for both Zverev and the Spaniard.

Griekspoor, meanwhile, was rewarded for his fine run in the desert with a jump of nine places up to No 34.

Novak Djokovic has also risen two places up to fifth. Despite an early loss in Indian Wells, the Serb only surrendered 40 points due to a premature exit last year, and he was the benefactor of fellow under-achievers at this year’s tournament in the lower half of the top 10.

fonseca’s surge continues

Teenage Brazilian sensation Joao Fonseca continued his meteoric rise by surging another 20 places up to 60th in the world. Despite losing in the second round to eventual champion Draper, Fonseca reaped the rewards of winning the Challenger title in Phoenix during the second week of Indian Wells, coming through what was a stacked draw in Arizona.

Other big movers included Kei Nishikori, who rose 12 places to 64th as he continues his late-career renaissance after a litany of long-term injuries, and Aleksandar Kovacevic who jumped 15 places to 79th.

Daniil Medvedev, on the other hand, slipped two places down to No 8 having failed to return to the Indian Wells final. Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev also fell down by one ranking place each as they could not make it to the latter stages of the tournament.

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