Alcaraz regains world No 1 ranking; must win Miami to stay top above absent Djokovic

The Spaniard is just 260 points ahead of Djokovic but will relinquish top spot if he fails to retain his Miami crown

Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic

March 20, 2023

Such are the perils of the 52-week ranking system that you’re often at the mercy of what’s gone before.

That’s the case for Carlos Alcaraz, who on Sunday ensured he regained the world No 1 ranking from Novak Djokovic thanks to his stunning victory in the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

The Spaniard leapfrogged Djokovic at the top to move 260 points ahead of the Serb, who was not allowed into the US to play Indian Wells due to his decision not to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

Djokovic will be missing from Miami, too, for the same reason, but unless Alcaraz repeats his victory from Miami 12 months ago, he will find himself back behind Djokovic once more.

Back at No. 1, @CarlosAlcaraz reclaims @PepperstoneFX ATP top ranking with 6-3 6-2 win over Daniil Medvedev in @BNPParibasOpen final.

Alcaraz must repeat as @MiamiOpen champion to remain No. 1 on 3 April. Otherwise, @DjokerNole will return to No. 1. #TennisParadise #MiamiOpen
— ATP Media Info (@ATPMediaInfo) March 20, 2023

Medvedev, Auger-Aliassime, Sinner move up; Nadal out of top 10

Daniil Medvedev, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jannik Sinner – all beaten by Alcaraz in Indian Wells – all climbed in the latest rankings.

Runner-up Medvedev, whose 19-match win streak was snapped by Alcaraz, moved up one place to No 5; Auger-Aliassime climbed four places to No 6 (equalling his career-high) after making the last eight and Sinner, beaten in the semis by Alcaraz, moved up two places to No 11, just 50 points behind Taylor Fritz at No 10.

The big mover, in the wrong direction, is Rafael Nadal, whose incredible, almost 18-year, 912-week streak in the top 10 came to an end as he fell to No 13, having not played since the Australian Open because of injury.