The global pandemic has disrupted a lot of aspects of the tennis tours. The ATP and the WTA have tried to find some solutions to the confusion brought by the Coronavirus. One of their actions was to change their ranking system. Eventually, the ATP decided to change the ranking system using a 24 months’ logic. The system worked decently well even if some players benefited a bit too much from it (not their fault, of course).
Federer, Berrettini, Fognini and Sinner
Currently ranked no.5, Roger Federer would be no.29 with the “normal system.” The Swiss legend was not able to play any tournament anyway despite the pandemic since he had to endure 2 operations to his knee this year.
Currently ranked no.10, Berrettini would have been no.37 with the old system. Another Italian, Fabio Fognini, would be ranked no.89 (he is currently ranked no.17).
The 24 months’ ranking system proves to be rather taxing on the upcoming players. For example, Italian rising star Jannik Sinner would have been ranked no.20 with the traditional system while he’s now only the world no.37.
Djokovic, Thiem, Nadal
What about Novak Djokovic, Dominic Thiem and Rafael Nadal? Well, the Serbian champion would be no.1 also with the traditional rankings system. However, Dominic and Rafa would swap places in the rankings also because Dominic played many more tournaments than the King of Clay.
Here the top 30 with the “old ranking system.
Novak Djokovic in 2020
Ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 21st of November when he was defeated by Dominic Thiem 7-5 6-710 7-65 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals.
This year Djokovic has a compiled 41-5 win-loss record. Djokovic has won 4 titles in 2020 at the Australian Open, in Dubai, in New York and in Rome. The Serbian was the finalist at the French Open.
Dominic Thiem in 2020
At the moment ranked no.3 (career-high), Thiem played his last match on the 22nd of November when he was overcome by Daniil Medvedev 4-6 7-62 6-4 in the final in the Nitto ATP Finals.
Currently, this year Thiem has a compiled 25-9 match record. Dominic clinched 1 title at the U.S. Open. Thiem got to the final at the Australian Open and the ATP Finals.
Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem played each other 12 times. The head to head is 7-5 for Djokovic. The last time that they played, Dominic Thiem won 7-5 6-710 7-65 in the semifinal in London (Nitto ATP Finals) on the 21st of November 2020.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Rafael Nadal in 2020
Ranked no.2, the Spaniard played his last match on the 21st of November when he capitulated to Daniil Medvedev 3-6 7-64 6-3 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals.
At the moment, this season Rafael has a 27-7 match record. Rafael conquered 2 titles in 2020 in Acapulco and at the French Open.
Jannik Sinner in 2020
At the moment ranked no.37 (career-high), Jannik played his last match on the 14th of November when he defeated Vasek Pospisil 6-4 3-6 7-63 in the final in Sofia to win his 1st career title.
This season Jannik has a 20-14 record. This year, Sinner clinched 1 title in Sofia.
Rafael Nadal and Jannik Sinner played each other once. The head to head is 1-0 for Nadal. When they played, Rafael Nadal won 7-64 6-4 6-1 in the quarter in Paris (French Open) on the 6th of October 2020.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
