An incredible 18-year streak will come to an end on Monday, when Rafael Nadal will be absent from the top 10 in the ATP world rankings for the first time since 2005.
Nadal isn’t playing the tournament in Indian Wells, a Masters 1000 event that carries big rankings points.
The Spaniard was ninth in the rankings prior to this tournament, but the 600 points he earned for finishing runner-up last year will drop off his tally, leaving him ranked 13th at best, or 14th if Frances Tiafoe advances to the final.
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Nadal entered the top 10 in April, 2005, just over a month before he claimed the first of 14 titles (so far) at Roland-Garros.
He’ll leave the top 10 having been there for 912 consecutive weeks, eclipsing Jimmy Connors’ previous record of 788 consecutive weeks by more than two years.
“It’s hard to put into words, it’s actually really hard to believe that he’s been in the top 10 for 18 years even with all the injuries that he’s had,” Nine tennis commentator Jelana Dokic said in January.
“We talk about the 22 grand slam titles and everything that he’s accomplished, but that is a big one to be almost 20 years inside the top 10 consistently. It says everything about his career, his consistency, how well he competes and how well he fights even with all the injuries he’s had.”
The 36-year-old hasn’t played since losing in the second round of the Australian Open in January as he battles a hip injury, but is targeting a return when the clay court season gets underway in Europe in April.
“Rafa was the first [player] to be registered,” Monte Carlo Masters tournament boss David Massey told ESPN.
“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.”
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