Novak Djokovic’s No 1 ranking at RISK in Australian Open absence

Rafael Nadal, making his comeback after five months out with a left foot injury, has moved up one place to fifth in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday with Novak Djokovic’s top spot at risk.

READ | TENNIS GREAT REVEALS OVARIAN CANCER DIAGNOSIS

Deported and unable to defend his Australian Open title due to his vaccine status, Novak Djokovic has a 2 080-point advantage on number two ranked Daniil Medvedev and could be overtaken by the Russian or third-placed German Alexander Zverev should either win the first Grand Slam of the season in Melbourne.

READ | NOVAK DJOKOVIC ARRIVES HOME TO HERO’S WELCOME IN SERBIA

Spaniard Nadal, the only Australian Open champion in the men’s draw after nine-time winner Novak Djokovic’s deportation, moves into fifth spot ahead of Russian Andrey Rublev, who drops to sixth.

Russian Aslan Karatsev jumped five places to 15th after his win in last week’s Sydney ATP tournament.

READ | LLOYD HARRIS’ MEGA R1 MILLION PAY DAY AFTER ROUND 1 LOSS AT AUSTRALIAN OPEN

ATP Tour rankings:

1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 11 015

2. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 8 935

3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 7 970

4. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6 540

5. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 4 875

6. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 4 785

7. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 4 568

8. Casper Ruud (NOR) 4 155

9. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3 608

10. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 3 390

11. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 3 336

12. Cameron Norrie (GBR) 2 900

13. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2 730

14. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 2 593

15. Aslan Karatsev (RUS) 2 553

16. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 2 410

17. Roger Federer (SUI) 2 385

18. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2 385

19. Christian Garin (CHI) 2 375

20. Gael Monfils (FRA) 2 373

Also:

31. Lloyd Harris (RSA) 1 473

100. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 709