ATP Rankings Update: Alcaraz title run opens seismic gap to Sinner as Djokovic climbs back into top three

The 2026 Australian Open brought up an array of surprises and huge story lines, which in turn make for changes in the ATP rankings. While some players took this opportunity with open arms and collected a solid haul of points, others were not so fortunate and have suffered the consequences.

Carlos Alcaraz had so much weighing on him when making the long trip to the other side of the world. He was, for starters, doing it without his long-term coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. As well as that, he had put a lot of pressure on himself to clinch the final Grand Slam title that he has not yet won, which would make him the youngest player to achieve the career Grand Slam. This was completed in sensational fashion. After his quarter-final last year, he gained a whole heap of points on his ranking, rising to a new personal best of 13,650.

More importantly, the gap between him and Jannik Sinner has grown exponentially. With his semi-final upset, the two-time champion would guarantee not to defend his title, comfortably staying in second but now down to 10,300 points. Nevertheless, Sinner is not defending any ranking points right until the Rome Open, with a golden chance to catch up to his Spanish rival.

There is movement just behind. Novak Djokovic has finally made a return to the top three after his final appearance, pushing down last year's runner-up Alexander Zverev to fourth. The gap from second to third is still over 5,000, leaving the 38-year-old some work to be done if he is to catch up. Lorenzo Musetti could have ended the week as world number three, but injuries succumb him to stay in a respectable fifth. Alex de Minaur (4,080) and Felix Auger-Aliassime (3,725) stick to their original positions in sixth and eighth respectively. There has been a change in the American number one, with Taylor Fritz leaping above the tumbling Ben Shelton as they trade places. Fritz (3,940) is back up to seventh while Shelton (3,600) sits in ninth. Alexander Bublik remains in the top 10.

With the higher ranked players making it to the business end, this left less of a chance for tennis talents outside the top 10 to make a huge impact. Three-time finalist Daniil Medvedev exited with a very disappointing showing against Learner Tien. He does rise a place to 11th, with Casper Ruud not only becoming a father for the first time but also up one slot to 12th. The returning Jack Draper drops down to 13th as he looks to finally gain some traction back on court.

Jakub Mensik missed the chance to face off against Djokovic, but returns to a joint career high of 16th in the world while Francisco Cerundolo rises two positions to 19th. In contrast, Flavio Cobolli drops a couple to 20th.

There are new career highs for Luciano Darderi who is the new world number 23 after his last -16 run, and Tien who reached a maiden Grand Slam quarter-final. The Next Gen ATP Finals champion shot up five places to 24th with 1,710 points. Valentin Vacherot picked up his first victory in major tournament in only his second Grand Slam. He continues to sail up the order. now 27th in the world with a four position gain. Brandon Nakashima sits at 32nd in the world after losing two positions, with Stefanos Tsitsipas breathing right down his neck.

The biggest winner was Eliot Spizzirri, who rose 14 places up to world number 71. It could have been more if he did the unthinkable against a cramping Sinner but a new career high is certainly something to be proud about. Fellow American Ethan Quinn will also leave Australia with his head held high. A third round appearance saw him climb back into the top 70, culminating in 68th in the world. Despite his defeat to the world number one, Yannick Hanfmann makes a return to the top 100 in 93rd after a nine place rise.

The losers do not come much bigger than Aleksandar Kovacevic. A 27 place drop was in store for him, tumbling down to a disheartening 83rd in the world. Other losers include Lorenzo Sonego (-20 to 60th), Jesper de Jong (-15 to 88th), Jacob Fearnley (-13 to 90), Aleksandar Vukic (-13 to 91st) and Miomir Kecmanovic (-9 to 69th).