The 22-time Major champion Rafael Nadal could become world no. 1 next week. If Rafa wins the Cincinnati title and Daniil Medvedev fails to reach the quarter-final, the Spaniard will conquer the ATP throne for the first time since February 2020. Medvedev currently stands on 6535 ATP points on the live ranking list, and Nadal is on 5630. The Spaniard will be on 6620 if he secures the second Cincinnati crown. The Russian has to reach the quarter-final to stay in front of him and be the top seed at the US Open. Rafa could not even dream about becoming world no. 1 a year ago, struggling with a foot injury and playing only two matches after Roland Garros. Not knowing what to expect in 2022, Nadal made one of the most excellent starts of the season of his career, winning three consecutive titles and reaching the final in Indian Wells.
Rafael Nadal has a chance to regain ATP throne for the first time since February 2020.
Rafa claimed the second Australian Open title after a thrilling comeback against Daniil Medvedev and lifted the third crown in Acapulco for 2750 points. The Spaniard fractured his rib in Indian Wells and still reached the title clash against Taylor Fritz. Rafa lost in straight sets and experienced the first loss of the season. Nadal had to skip Monte Carlo and Barcelona, losing momentum and not playing at his best in Madrid and Rome. Rafa raised his level at Roland Garros and conquered the 14th Parisian crown for his 22nd Major crown and a massive boost. Rafa reached the Wimbledon semi-final and withdrew ahead of the Nick Kyrgios clash due to an abdominal injury that prevented him from competing in Montreal.
World no. 1 Daniil Medvedev suffered an early loss in Montreal, falling to Nick Kyrgios and missing a chance to maintain the more significant gap over Nadal. Suppose Medvedev suffers another early loss in Cincinnati and Nadal goes all the way. In that case, the Spaniard will become world no. 1 for the first time in two and a half years. If Rafa fails to achieve the goal in Cincinnati, he will be the favorite to take the ATP throne after the US Open, defending no points in comparison to Daniil, who is the defending champion. Rafa and Daniil are the only contenders for the ATP throne in the upcoming weeks. Carlos Alcaraz can join that battle if he goes deep in Cincinnati and New York.