Rafael Nadal’s ‘miracle’ record top-10 streak comes to an end after 912 weeks following Indian Wells

One of the longest streaks in tennis history is over.

Rafael Nadal has dropped out of the top 10 of the ATP rankings for the first time since 2005.

Nadal spent 912 weeks – around 17-and-a-half years – inside the top 10, a men’s record and behind only Martina Navratilova, who spent exactly 1,000 consecutive weeks inside the top 10.

Nadal broke into the top 10 for the first time on April 25, 2005 after winning the Barcelona Open as an 18-year-old. In 2020, he broke Jimmy Connors’ men’s record of 789 consecutive weeks inside the top 10.

None of the players who were in the top 20 on April 25, 2005 are still playing aside from Nadal.

Nadal’s remarkable streak has been ended due to injury. At the Australian Open, he dropped a significant amount of ranking points after losing in the second round when he was defending champion. He hasn’t played since then due to a hip issue and at Indian Wells he saw 600 points fall from his ranking as he made the final last year.

“With all the injuries I’ve had over the last 18 years, not having left the top 10 on any occasion is practically a miracle.

“A time has come when a lot has happened in the last year: a broken rib, two abdominal tears, now the iliopsoas [muscle], foot problems… there are many things that, in tennis, with a ranking that lasts a year… you know that if you don’t play, you’ll be out of the top 10.”

When will Nadal play next?

Nadal is not set to return to action at the Miami Open, which starts this week.

That will likely not significantly impact his ranking as he didn’t play the tournament last year.

“Rafa was the first [player] to be registered,” said tournament director David Massey.

“He really wants to play at the Monte Carlo Masters and is giving himself every chance to take part in the tournament he’s so fond of.”

Nadal has won the Monte Carlo Masters a record 11 times in his career and will be bidding to win a 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open which gets underway on May 28.

He should soon have the chance to get back into the top 10 if he does return in Monte Carlo as he doesn’t have many clay points to defend before the French Open.

Nadal missed some of the clay season last year due to injury so only has 270 points to defend in Rome and Madrid combined. He didn’t play Monte Carlo or Barcelona in 2022.

The 36-year-old has played just four matches so far this year, winning one against Jack Draper in the first round of the Australian Open.

Alcaraz back to world No. 1

As one Spaniard drops out of the top 10, another is now at world. No. 1.

Alcaraz has replaced Novak Djokovic at the top of the rankings following his victory at Indian Wells.

However, Alcaraz must win the Miami Open to stay as No. 1 otherwise Djokovic will return to the summit ahead of the clay season.

Djokovic and Alcaraz are defending almost exactly the same amount of points during the clay season. Djokovic is defending 1,880 points while Alcaraz is defending 1,870.

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