End of an era: Nadal out of world’s top 10 for first time since April 2005

One of the most incredible streaks in men’s tennis has come to an end

Rafael Nadal, Melbourne 2023 | © Zuma / Panoramic

March 20, 2023

It’s official. For the first time since he first made it on April 25, 2005, Rafael Nadal is no longer a part of the world’s top 10.

The 36-year-old Spaniard dropped out of the top 10 in the ATP rankings on March 20, having been unable to play since the Australian Open due to injury.

Nadal, who was in the top 10 for a record 934 weeks – officially 912 because 22 of those came when the rankings were frozen due to the suspension of play in 2020 for Covid-19 – drops to No 13 in the latest rankings.

And there it is:

After an incredible streak of 934 weeks–falling just a single month short of 18 years–Rafael Nadal has slipped outside the top 10, which he first entered on April 25, 2005. pic.twitter.com/RllZXnNwT1
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 20, 2023

As Nadal fans have been quick to point out, had ranking points not been removed from Wimbledon last summer because of its ban on Russian and Belarusian players – the 22-times Grand Slam champion would still be in the top 10.

Nadal is hoping to return from injury next month at the Monte-Carlo Masters and if he is fit, he is more than likely to return to the top 10 before too long.

The 14-time Roland-Garros champion has just 270 points to defend from last year’s pre-Roland-Garros clay-court season and with three Masters 100s on clay, there are plenty of points on offer.

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