It’s interesting how a good season end is often crucial for becoming world no1. Last year Federer got 3000 points from winning Basel (500), Paris (1000) and the World Tour Finals (1500). This proved to be a very important starting points to get back to world no.1 in July after winning Wimbledon.
This year it was Nole to have a similar feat to win Beijing (500), Shanghai (1000) and the World Tour Finals (1500) to rack up 3000pts and be back to world no.1
Another very important point for the Serb is that these points will “expire” in 1 year time.
World no.1 for at least other 4 months…
Winning the WTF gave to Nole a huge 2655pts advantage on Federer, on Murray (4920pts) and on Nadal (6125pts).
Djokovic 12.920
Federer 10.265
Murray 8.000
Nadal 6.795
Federer has to defend 2810pts in the next 4 months as in 2012 he won Rotterdam (500), Dubai (500), Indian Wells (1000) and he reached the semifinals at the Australian Open (720) and in Doha (90).
Before giong to play in Miami, Djokovic has to defend only 2540pts as he won the Australian Open (2000pts) and he reached the semifinals in Dubai (180) and in Indian Wells (360)
So with a 2655pts gap between Nole and Federer and Roger having to defend 2810pts (vs. Nole’s 2540) in the next 4 months… Djokovic won’t struggle to retain his title.
… maybe till August
The real chances for the rest of the pack to challenge Nole for the top spot of the ATP rankings will come in the second part of the season (from August) as Nole has to defend 5800pts as he had an almost perfect ride from the 1000 ATP Master in Canada till the end of the season.
Maybe the race to become world no.2 will be more interesting.
