378: this is the number of weeks now spent by the Serbian Novak Djokovic in the place of world number 1, an absolute record ahead of the German Steffi Graf (377), after the ATP ranking published on Monday. “Djoko”, who recovered the crown thanks to his 22nd Grand Slam title won in Australia last month, equaling Rafael Nadal’s record, had reached the top of the world hierarchy for the first time in July 2011. He had just win his first Wimbledon at the expense of the same Nadal.
While he must participate this week in the Dubai tournament, his first since his 10th title in Melbourne, the Serb is currently ahead of another Spaniard, the young (19) Carlos Alcaraz. Winner in Buenos Aires in mid-February then finalist this Sunday in Rio de Janeiro, Alcaraz is only 200 points behind Djokovic and enters the Acapulco tournament with the status of seeded number 1.
Bonzi’s Leap
But the winner of the last US Open could suffer a new setback due to a pain in the right leg felt during his lost final in Brazil against the Briton Cameron Norrie: he must decide by Tuesday on a possible package in Mexico . The American Taylor Fritz (25), winner of the Derlay Beach tournament on February 19, won two places and joined the Top 5 for the first time.
On the French side, Benjamin Bonzi, finalist in Marseille on Sunday, jumped 15 places (45th), and is now aiming for the status of French number one still held by Richard Gasquet (43rd). The 26-year-old Gardois, who is also close to his best ranking (42nd) at the start of February, will however have to wait before hoping to do better since he has withdrawn from the ATP 500 tournament in Dubai.
Affected by an adductor according to the daily L’Equipe, he was replaced in the main draw by a lucky loser, the Italian Francesco Passaro. Engaged in Marseille, and beaten in the semi-final by Bonzi, the young Arthur Fils (18 years old) continues his progress, at the gates of the Top 100 (104th, +14).