With Rafael Nadal on a likely position to end the year at the top of the world rankings, rival Novak Djokovic is doing the last push to steal the Spaniard’s thunder. It looks like part of his strategy to retake the year to date No. 1 ranking is by participating and doing well in the last few tournaments of the year.
Winning the Japan Open is going to be integral of Djokovic’s goal. It is Serbian’s first time in the Japan Open, which will yield him 500 points if he wins. This will bring him closer to Nadal’s current point tally.
Even when it is his first time to enter the Japan Open, the world No.1 is already doing well in the competition. He just reached the quarterfinals after he sank Japanese wildcard Go Soeda. Djokovic only took 95 minutes and two sets to defeat Soeda.
Novak will next battle Frenchman Lucas Pouille. It is the third time that the 2019 Wimbledon champion will battle the world No. 24 this year. The 32-year old Serbian butt heads with him in the Australian Open and the Cincinnati Masters. The Serbian won both times.
Djokovic vs. Nadal for the world no.1 rank
In the current Race to London rankings, Nadal has a total of 9,225 points, while Djokovic has 7,265 points. There is a pretty wide margin between the two players, but the latter still has a chance to overtake the Spanish player.
As of right now, the Spaniard is only scheduled to play in the Shanghai, Paris and London tournaments. Collectively, this could give him as much as 3500 points, which could extend his lead further.
Djokovic having selfies with the crowd and the Sumo Wrestling
Djokovic having fun in Japan pic.twitter.com/vXN2l9TO8a
— Luke (@Luke16572469) October 3, 2019
The current Wimbledon titleholder is on a charm offensive in Japan as he went to enjoy various aspects of the country’s culture before the games. He notably made a stop at the Ryogoku Edo-Noren, which houses a sumo wrestling ring.
He watched the sumo wrestlers prepare for their morning practice in a session called in the local language as “keiko.” He also tried to learn some of the moves himself, which made him a bigger fan of the sport.
During the matches, Novak was also seen taking selfies with fans. A lot of the fans in the crowd are children and teenagers, likely those inspired by the ascent of Japanese players Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka in the world stage.
Djokovic getting ready for the 2020 Olympics
The 2019 Australian Open winner also was not ashamed to admit that one of the reasons why he took part in the Japan Open is to prepare for next year’s Olympics. The 2020 Olympics will take place in the same city, which Djokovic hopes he will qualify for.
Djokovic in Tokyo, ranking, and results in 2019
Now ranked no.1, Djokovic has a 43-8 win-loss record in 2019. Djokovic is in Tokyo where he toppled Alexei Popyrin 6-4 6-2 and Go Soeda 6-3 7-5.
Djokovic will take on Pouille in the quarter. The head to head is 2-0 for Djokovic.
The last time that they played each other, Djokovic won 7-62 6-1 in the quarter in Cincinnati in 16th August 2019.
Djokovic has won 3 titles in 2019 at the Australian Open, in Madrid and in Wimbledon. The Serbian was the finalist in Rome.
Djokovic won 75 titles in his career: 43 on hard courts, 14 on clay courts, 12 on indoor courts and 6 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Rafael Nadal’s ranking and performance in 2019
Ranked no.2, Nadal played his last match on the 8th of September when he beat Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 in the final in U.S. Open to win his 84th career title.
This year the Spaniard has a 47-6 win-loss record. Nadal clinched 4 titles in 2019 in Rome, at the French Open, in Montreal and at the U.S. Open. Nadal was the finalist at the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played each other 54 times. The head to head is 28-26 for Djokovic.
The last time that they locked horns, Rafael Nadal won 6-0 4-6 6-1 in the final in Rome in 19th May 2019.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal |
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