Novak DJOKOVIC set to defend the most on clay this season by some distance with World No. 1 under threat
ATPWednesday, 03 April 2024 at 20:30
The start
of the clay season sees Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz as the players with
the most points to defend. The first major challenge for most of the top-10
will be at the Monte-Carlo Masters, beginning on April 8th, with defending
champion Andrey Rublev.
The top-10
will face a varied defense of points, which could bring significant changes in
the rankings. Djokovic defends the majority of his points at the French Open,
so his exit from the world No. 1 spot in the coming weeks is unlikely, although
Jannik Sinner defends 1800 points less than Nole and could significantly narrow
the gap or even challenge for the top spot.
During the
clay season, Djokovic played in Monte-Carlo, the Srpska Open, and the Rome
Open, reaching only the quarterfinals in each. However, he managed to produce
his best level at the French Open and clinched the title, adding a total of
2315 points.
As for
world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, he won the ATP 500 Barcelona Open and Madrid Open,
reached the second round in the Rome Open, and ended with a semifinal exit at
Roland Garros against Djokovic, accumulating 2,265 points. Sinner, on the other
hand, is the player defending the fewest points among the top 8, with just 585
points, and will need to translate his hardcourt results to the European clay.
Read also
Two players
who will have to defend more than half of their points in the next two months
are world No. 7 Holger Rune (1835) and No. 8 Casper Ruud (1935), providing an
opportunity for Grigor Dimitrov and Hubert Hurkacz to climb, as they defend
only 420 and 235 points, respectively, with minimal differences in points.
Daniil
Medvedev also needs to be cautious, defending 1280 points, mainly due to his
title at the Masters 1000 Rome Open, although he often struggles during the
clay season. Additionally, Alexander Zverev, one of the players who excels on
clay, defends 1025 points.
| Name | Points Live Ranking | Points to defend (clay season) |
| Novak Djokovic | 9725 | 2315 |
| Jannik Sinner | 8710 | 585 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | 8645 | 2265 |
| Daniil Medvedev | 7165 | 1280 |
| Alexander Zverev | 5415 | 1025 |
| Andrey Rublev | 4890 | 1330 |
| Holger Rune | 3795 | 1895 |
| Grigor Dimitrov | 3540 | 420 |
| Hubert Hurkacz | 3425 | 235 |
| Casper Ruud | 3410 | 1935 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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