SUMMARY
- Intense competition reshapes men's tennis rankings and points after the Australian Open
- Novak Djokovic faces challenges, while young talents like Jannik Sinner make breakthroughs
The Australian Open 2024 has left a lasting impact on the world of men’s tennis, bringing about significant changes in the ATP rankings and points table. This thrilling tournament witnessed intense competition among the top players, reshaping the dynamics in the world of tennis.
Novak Djokovic, despite retaining his top spot, faced challenges that narrowed the gap between him and his closest rivals, setting the stage for a more competitive season. The rise of young Jannik Sinner, who won his first Slam at the Australian Open added new excitement to men’s tennis.
The point difference among the Top 4 in men’s tennis, which earlier was a substantial 4000 points plus, is now in the range of 1500 only. Let’s take a look at the who’s who of the current ATP Top 10 after the fortnight of exhilarating tennis in the first major of the season down under.
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, who has ruled the courts of Melbourne Park in the past with 10 AO trophies, faced an unexpected challenge in the semifinals of the Australian Open 2024, losing to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
This resulted in a deduction of 1,200 points. Despite this setback, Djokovic’s legacy as the world no. 1 remains unshaken. Djokovic currently holds the top spot with 9,855 points, as per the latest rankings updated as of January 29, 2024.
Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish phenom, showcased his extraordinary talent at the Australian Open 2024, securing a notable 400 additional points to solidify his world no. 2 ranking. The Spaniard, who had not played the ‘Happy Slam’ last year, gained valuable points by reaching the quarterfinals of the Major, losing to Alexander Zverev in four sets.
However, Alcaraz will retain his world no. 2 ranking with 9255 points, just 600 behind the ledger board leader, Novak Djokovic. Alcaraz’s performance in Melbourne showcased his rich vein of form for the upcoming season. He will make his next appearance at the Argentina Open, which begins in the second week of February.
Daniil Medvedev
Marathon man Daniil Medvedev’s journey through the Australian Open 2024 was a display of resilience. He played four 5-set matches en route to the finals of the Grand Slam. However, he ended up as the runner-up in the event, losing to Jannik Sinner in the finals. Medvedev ended up accumulating 1,210 points after the tournament and held firm at the third position in the ATP rankings.
Daniil Medvedev to his wife & daughter after losing Australian Open final:
“I don’t know if they turned off the tv, but Dasha, Alisa, if you’re watching, it felt like you were there with me. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it today. But I’m gonna try to make it work next time for… pic.twitter.com/q09TvwCIVB
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 28, 2024
Known for his unorthodox style and a potent mix of power and finesse, Medvedev’s performance in Melbourne reaffirmed his status as an elite Top 3 tennis player with 8,765 points in the ATP points table. Only 490 points separate him from his world No. 2 nemesis, Carlos Alcaraz. He will be next seen at the Rotterdam Open, a tournament beginning on February 12.
Jannik Sinner’s breakthrough at the Australian Open
Jannik Sinner’s breakthrough triumph at the Australian Open 2024 marked a defining moment in his young career by winning his first major trophy in the debut Slam final of his career. By earning an impressive 1,820 points, Sinner not only secured his position at world no. 4 in the ATP rankings but also declared himself a new force to be reckoned with on the biggest show courts of tennis.
The tournament witnessed Sinner’s great composure and skills on the court as he defeated world no. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals and became the champion, beating Medvedev by 2 sets to love down. In the ATP race, Sinner currently holds 8,310 points, trailing the top-ranked Novak Djokovic by only 1,545 points.
Andrey Rublev
Andrey Rublev’s journey in the Australian Open showcased the resilience that has become synonymous with his style of play. Unable to break the Grand Slam quarterfinal jinx, Rublev was beaten by Jannik Sinner in straight sets. He gained 40 points post-tournament and remained in the fifth spot in the ATP rankings.
Known for his powerful baseline game, Rublev’s performance in Melbourne highlighted his ability to contend with the best in the sport. Currently having 5,050 points in the ATP points table, Rublev remains a formidable presence in the mid-rankings of the elite Top 10 players.
Alexander Zverev
Alexander Zverev’s performance in the Australian Open 2024 was nothing short of impressive, accumulating 755 points and maintaining his sixth position in the ATP rankings. Zverev’s powerful serves and groundstrokes on the court were on full display during the tournament, where he beat world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals.
The German player’s performance showcased his ability to navigate challenges and marked a resurgence that could redefine his trajectory in men’s tennis. Zverev currently has 5,030 points, just 20 points behind Rublev.
Holger Rune
Holger Rune’s journey at the Australian Open was disappointing, to say the least, as he faced an early round exit, losing to a wildcard, Arthur Cazaux, in the second round. He lost 130 points in the process, unable to match his performance from last year when he reached the fourth round. However, he climbed one position up in the rankings at the expense of Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Thank you @AustralianOpen , Craig and co for an amazing tournament❤️Way too early to leave 😔 pic.twitter.com/gD8zq78yXy
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) January 19, 2024
Rune is currently in 7th place in the ATP world rankings with 3,685 points. However, Rune’s ability to navigate challenges at only 20 years of age and maintain a top-ten position speaks volumes about his impact on the future of men’s tennis.
Hubert Hurkacz
Hubert Hurkacz’s historic ascent to No. 8 in the ATP rankings after the Australian Open marked a momentous achievement for Polish tennis. His noteworthy performance during the tournament was that he reached the quarterfinals but succumbed to finalist Medvedev in a five-set thriller. It helped him gain 220 points and a jump in the world rankings from 9 to 8.
His performance reflected not only personal success but also signaled a significant milestone for his home country, Poland, in the tennis arena. Hurkacz’s powerful game and steady rise make him a player to watch in the evolving landscape of men’s tennis. He currently has 3,540 points, not far from world no. 7, Holger Rune.
Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz had an impressive Australian Open, where he too reached the quarterfinal stage, falling to world no. 1, Novak Djokovic. In the process, he gained 355 points and solidified his position in the top 10 at no. 9, a jump of 3 ranks from his rank of 12 before the tournament.
The American’s powerful serves and aggressive playing style were on display in Melbourne, paving the way for his ascent in men’s tennis. Fritz’s performance hinted at his potential to become a prominent figure in the cutthroat world of competitive tennis. Fritz is currently at 3,195 points.
Stefanos Tsitsipas
Stefanos Tsitsipas, who lost in the round of 16 to Taylor Fritz in Australia, experienced a dip in rankings, falling to 3 ranks below world no. 10 from being world no. 7 before the tournament started. The last year’s finalist lost a staggering 1000 points in the process. The setback marked his lowest ranking since May 2019.
Tsitsipas’ performance in the tournament reflected the competitive nature of the sport. He currently has 3,025 points in the ATP points table. He will be hoping to bounce back and reclaim his standing among the elite tennis players.
The Australian Open 2024 has painted a new picture for men’s tennis, with players showcasing their skills and determination. As we look ahead, the changes in rankings and points table promise more excitement in the upcoming tournaments of the new season.
