Rafael Nadal and Highest Ranking Again After Falling to #4

McEnroeisanartist · Oct 29, 2012

Nadal has finished in the top 2 for the last 7 consecutive years. This is the second longest streak after Federer finished in the top 2 for 8 consecutive years.

There have been 6 players who have finished in the top 3 for 7 consecutive years. Nadal will finish 2012 as the number 4 player. Below is the highest ranking of the 5 other players after they fell out of the top 3.

Borg (Top 3 from 1974-1980), after falling to #4 in 1981, he basically retired.
Connors (Top 3 from 1973-1984), after falling to #4 in 1985, he never again ranked in the top 3.
McEnroe (Top 3 from 1979-1985), after falling to #14 in 1986, he never agin ranked in the top 3.
Lendl (Top 3 from 1981-1990), after falling to #5 in 1991, he never again ranked in the top 3.
Sampras (Top 3 from 1992-2000), after falling to #10 in 2001, he never again ranked in the top 3.
Federer (Top 3 from 2003-2012).......

Ms Nadal · Oct 29, 2012

Rafa did state that he wasn't bothered about his ranking a few weeks/months ago. He has been number one so maybe ranking isn't a big concern for him nowadays

Clarky21 · Oct 29, 2012

He's not playing so it is not surprising that his ranking has fallen. It would have fallen any way no matter if he's playing on not. Nadal will never finish the year in the top 2 again,and I think his ranking will hover around #5 if not lower for the rest of his career(since it's almost over).

Ms Nadal · Oct 29, 2012

I can't really predict what will happen with Rafa's ranking but it wasn't nice for me to hear that he isn't bothered about his ranking. Rafa isn't concerned about anything tennis these days. Oh boy.

Clarky21 · Oct 29, 2012

Ms Nadal said:
I can't really predict what will happen with Rafa's ranking but it wasn't nice for me to hear that he isn't bothered about his ranking. Rafa isn't concerned about anything tennis these days. Oh boy.

Doesn't seem that way. He did an interview yesterday where they asked him about having kids,and he said nothing is impossible,but that he wasn't planning on it right now. Made me raise an eyebrow because his answer sounded like there might be a possibility,and having kids almost always spells doom for a tennis player. Either that or he knows he's retiring. It was just odd to me.

Ms Nadal · Oct 29, 2012

You are keeping up with the interviews, Clarky

. At least you think like me that Rafa may quit. I think he knows it too, I wish he would just say it so this Rafa tennis chapter can be closed. I mean, why carry on with this charade? He hates the tour! Uncle Toni made him play tennis when he should have chosen golf or football. I think Rafa would be a great family man as family is something that he holds highly to his heart. He should get on with it then!

. 26 Years old is a good age to start a family.

Agassifan · Oct 29, 2012

Rafa shouldn't care about rankings. He is not going to get close to Pete or Fed in that respect. As long as he stays in the Top 4, it doesn't affect his prospects that much.

Prisoner of Birth · Oct 29, 2012

As long as the seeding doesn't make a whole lot of difference, ranking is irrelevant, unless you're #1. #2, #3, #4, don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

beast of mallorca · Oct 29, 2012

Ms Nadal said:
You are keeping up with the interviews, Clarky . At least you think like me that Rafa may quit. I think he knows it too, I wish he would just say it so this Rafa tennis chapter can be closed. I mean, why carry on with this charade? He hates the tour! Uncle Toni made him play tennis when he should have chosen golf or football. I think Rafa would be a great family man as family is something that he holds highly to his heart. He should get on with it then! . 26 Years old is a good age to start a family.

Stop talking to yourself Ms..................It's not good for the health

Ms Nadal · Oct 29, 2012

beast of mallorca said:
Stop talking to yourself Ms..................It's not good for the health

Haha! so funny!

. I have to laugh at these MAD assumptions or I will cry.
DISCUSS THE THREAD!

PrinceMoron · Oct 29, 2012

Ms Nadal said:
Rafa did state that he wasn't bothered about his ranking a few weeks/months ago. He has been number one so maybe ranking isn't a big concern for him nowadays

Well no chance of 300 weeks at number one, so me no worry. Nadal is a long way down that list, and most weeks at number two is a bit of non event.

paulorenzo · Oct 29, 2012

Prisoner of Birth said:
As long as the seeding doesn't make a whole lot of difference, ranking is irrelevant, unless you're #1. #2, #3, #4, don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

you're right. the only ranking that is important in the grand scheme of things is the #1 spot, honestly. that's the number the history books remember. it's an interesting stat, top 2 for x number of consecutive years, but it isn't really the standardized measure people use.

as you pointed out, even with seeding on tour, especially right now where the top 4 are so close level-wise, it matters very little what rankings they have, 1-4.

Prisoner of Birth · Oct 29, 2012

paulorenzo said:
you're right. the only ranking that is important in the grand scheme of things is the #1 spot, honestly. that's the number the history books remember. it's an interesting stat, top 2 for x number of consecutive years, but it isn't really the standardized measure people use.

as you pointed out, even with seeding on tour, especially right now where the top 4 are so close level-wise, it matters very little what rankings they have, 1-4.

Exactly. I'm not sure what the ATP are smoking but right now I'd rather be seeded #2 than #1.

Clarky21 · Oct 29, 2012

Ms Nadal said:
You are keeping up with the interviews, Clarky . At least you think like me that Rafa may quit. I think he knows it too, I wish he would just say it so this Rafa tennis chapter can be closed. I mean, why carry on with this charade? He hates the tour! Uncle Toni made him play tennis when he should have chosen golf or football. I think Rafa would be a great family man as family is something that he holds highly to his heart. He should get on with it then! . 26 Years old is a good age to start a family.

Not to me it is. That's too young to have children,imo. He's free to do whatever he wants,but who wants to be saddled with kids to raise while you're still so young? Why not wait a little while first?

Prisoner of Birth · Oct 29, 2012

Clarky21 said:
Not to me it is. That's too young to have children,imo. He's free to do whatever he wants,but who wants to be saddled with kids to raise while you're still so young? Why not wait a little while first?

I take it you're confused

Clarky21 · Oct 29, 2012

Prisoner of Birth said:
I take it you're confused

If you're implying that Ms Nadal and I are the same person you are mistaken.

Prisoner of Birth · Oct 29, 2012

Clarky21 said:
If you're implying that Ms Nadal and I are the same person you are mistaken.

I was referring to the emboldened part.

MichaelNadal · Oct 29, 2012

He'll make it back to the top 2 because Federer won't be in it and I don't expect Murray to be more consistent than a healthy Rafa.

BauerAlmeida · Oct 29, 2012

McEnroeisanartist said:
Nadal has finished in the top 2 for the last 7 consecutive years. This is the second longest streak after Federer finished in the top 2 for 8 consecutive years.

There have been 6 players who have finished in the top 3 for 7 consecutive years. Nadal will finish 2012 as the number 4 player. Below is the highest ranking of the 5 other players after they fell out of the top 3.

Borg (Top 3 from 1974-1980), after falling to #4 in 1981, he basically retired.
Connors (Top 3 from 1973-1984), after falling to #4 in 1985, he never again ranked in the top 3.
McEnroe (Top 3 from 1979-1985), after falling to #14 in 1986, he never agin ranked in the top 3.
Lendl (Top 3 from 1981-1990), after falling to #5 in 1991, he never again ranked in the top 3.
Sampras (Top 3 from 1992-2000), after falling to #10 in 2001, he never again ranked in the top 3.
Federer (Top 3 from 2003-2012).......

Djokovic has been top 3 since 2007. That's 6 years. I think he'll get 3 more.

papertank · Oct 29, 2012

It's not like he has been playing and losing to fall to #4, he literally only played half the year. There is a huge difference.

ctoth666 · Oct 29, 2012

I am marginally concerned about Nadal's ranking, because if he plays with a reduced tournament load, he general struggles more if he doesn't play a lot of matches. But as he has proved this year, he's good enough to finish number four on the merit of his clay-court results alone. Either Federer drops to four next year, or Murray finishes four. I expect Nadal will be second or first.

Deleted member 307496 · Oct 29, 2012

ctoth666 said:
I am marginally concerned about Nadal's ranking, because if he plays with a reduced tournament load, he general struggles more if he doesn't play a lot of matches. But as he has proved this year, he's good enough to finish number four on the merit of his clay-court results alone. Either Federer drops to four next year, or Murray finishes four. I expect Nadal will be second or first.

Nadal won't be top two again.

RAFA2005RG · Oct 29, 2012

McEnroeisanartist said:
Nadal has finished in the top 2 for the last 7 consecutive years. This is the second longest streak after Federer finished in the top 2 for 8 consecutive years.

There have been 6 players who have finished in the top 3 for 7 consecutive years. Nadal will finish 2012 as the number 4 player. Below is the highest ranking of the 5 other players after they fell out of the top 3.

Borg (Top 3 from 1974-1980), after falling to #4 in 1981, he basically retired.
Connors (Top 3 from 1973-1984), after falling to #4 in 1985, he never again ranked in the top 3.
McEnroe (Top 3 from 1979-1985), after falling to #14 in 1986, he never agin ranked in the top 3.
Lendl (Top 3 from 1981-1990), after falling to #5 in 1991, he never again ranked in the top 3.
Sampras (Top 3 from 1992-2000), after falling to #10 in 2001, he never again ranked in the top 3.
Federer (Top 3 from 2003-2012).......

Nadal was ranked number 4 in early 2010 and finished number 1.

08.02.2010-----4
01.02.2010-----4
22.03.2010-----4
07.06.2010-----1

Deleted member 307496 · Oct 29, 2012

RAFA2005RG said:
Nadal was ranked number 4 in early 2010 and finished number 1.

He's never ended the year at #4.

Another example: Hewitt fell to #4 in 2005, and was never seen in the top ten again.

RAFA2005RG · Oct 29, 2012

Astounding. Nadal was ranked number 4 in March, and then took back the number 1 ranking in June.

ctoth666 · Oct 29, 2012

Sabratha said:
Nadal won't be top two again.

How can you be so sure? Again, his clay court results alone are enough to keep him at number four. I do not expect Murray to become a dominant player, and neither do I expect Federer to get any younger. If he plays through to the end of the year, he will likely become number two again at least.

Deleted member 307496 · Oct 29, 2012

ctoth666 said:
How can you be so sure? Again, his clay court results alone are enough to keep him at number four. I do not expect Murray to become a dominant player, and neither do I expect Federer to get any younger. If he plays through to the end of the year, he will likely become number two again at least.

His knees are going, he's going to be a step slower when he comes back. That will cost Nadal a place right up the top of the rankings, I predict he will still be a top five player, just not a top two player anymore. You don't know how Del Potro will perform next year or how Murray will, either. Federer might still be consistent enough to hold down the fort, so that leaves Nadal back at #5.

RAFA2005RG · Oct 30, 2012

Sabratha said:
His knees are going, he's going to be a step slower when he comes back. That will cost Nadal a place right up the top of the rankings, I predict he will still be a top five player, just not a top two player anymore. You don't know how Del Potro will perform next year or how Murray will, either. Federer might still be consistent enough to hold down the fort, so that leaves Nadal back at #5.

The question is, can Federer beat a slow version of Nadal at a slam?

beast of mallorca · Oct 30, 2012

Sabratha said:
He's never ended the year at #4.

Another example: Hewitt fell to #4 in 2005, and was never seen in the top ten again.

Hewitt is no Nadal, you silly goose

joeri888 · Oct 30, 2012

Slightly off topic: Has Federer already been ranked fourth in the world since becoming world no 1? I think it was at least close with Murray at some point , but I'm not sure whether he's been below three. I mean not year end, just at some point.

Deleted member 307496 · Oct 30, 2012

joeri888 said:
Slightly off topic: Has Federer already been ranked fourth in the world since becoming world no 1? I think it was at least close with Murray at some point , but I'm not sure whether he's been below three. I mean not year end, just at some point.

Yes, he has.

21.11.2011 4 136
14.11.2011 4 136
07.11.2011 4 136
31.10.2011 4 133
24.10.2011 4 135
17.10.2011 4 135

SoBad · Oct 30, 2012

Ranking is just a number, it's not where the greatness comes from. And I see that all the fresh green trolls in Europe have already woken up from their after-lunch siesta.

joeri888 · Oct 30, 2012

SoBad said:
Ranking is just a number, it's not where the greatness comes from. And I see that all the fresh green trolls in Europe have already woken up from their after-lunch siesta.

It's 10 AM :?

SoBad · Oct 30, 2012

joeri888 said:
It's 10 AM :?

I don't believe you. I know that it's 6am in New York, so it must be at least lunchtime in Europe.

NDFM · Oct 30, 2012

It's 10AM over here in the UK

SoBad · Oct 30, 2012

UK is basically part of the US, so it doesn't count as Europe. It's already 14:15 in Moscow, which is the real Europe.

Deleted member 307496 · Oct 30, 2012

SoBad said:
UK is basically part of the US, so it doesn't count as Europe. It's already 14:15 in Moscow, which is the real Europe.

No, it's not.

Sri · Oct 30, 2012

SoBad said:
UK is basically part of the US, so it doesn't count as Europe. It's already 14:15 in Moscow, which is the real Europe.

+1 for your geography teacher

NatF · Oct 30, 2012

SoBad said:
UK is basically part of the US, so it doesn't count as Europe. It's already 14:15 in Moscow, which is the real Europe.

I commend you for your trolling. Better than most around here.

Deleted member 307496 · Oct 30, 2012

RAFA2005RG said:
The question is, can Federer beat a slow version of Nadal at a slam?

He has a good shot at it. Players who have had surgery generally falter against Federer. Unless your name's Del Potro.

RAFA2005RG · Oct 30, 2012

Sabratha said:
He has a good shot at it. Players who have had surgery generally falter against Federer. Unless your name's Del Potro.

Well, we'll find out in January.

Deleted member 307496 · Oct 30, 2012

RAFA2005RG said:
Well, we'll find out in January.

We won't if he misses the Australian Open.

Gonzo_style · Oct 30, 2012

Sabratha said:
He has a good shot at it. Players who have had surgery generally falter against Federer. Unless your name's Del Potro.

And Gustavo Kuerten....

RAFA2005RG · Oct 30, 2012

Sabratha said:
We won't if he misses the Australian Open.

You aren't the first person to predict Federer's December retirement.

RAFA2005RG · Oct 30, 2012

So much talk of the points Nadal will gain at Wimbledon, US Open and World Tour Finals 2013, but also I must point out Madrid is a huge opportunity for Nadal to gain. It takes a lot of pressure off his clay season.

6-1 6-3 6-0 · Oct 30, 2012

RAFA2005RG said:
So much talk of the points Nadal will gain at Wimbledon, US Open and World Tour Finals 2013, but also I must point out Madrid is a huge opportunity for Nadal to gain. It takes a lot of pressure off his clay season.

Agreed. Madrid, Wimbledon, Toronto, Cincinnati, US Open, Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris and the World Tour Finals are all excellent opportunities for Nadal to gain masses of points. And given that, despite missing all of these events (apart from Madrid), he's still the solid #4, it's clear that he can make his ascension to #1 quite easily.

And let's not forget that he's playing Acapulco next year too, so there's even more for Nadal to gain. I can't wait for Nadal to start establishing his dominance in other tournaments too. Just imagine how impressive it would be if Nadal won FIVE tournaments (Roland Garros, Rome, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Acapulco) 8+ times.

McEnroeisanartist · Oct 30, 2012

6-1 6-3 6-0 said:
Agreed. Madrid, Wimbledon, Toronto, Cincinnati, US Open, Shanghai, Tokyo, Paris and the World Tour Finals are all excellent opportunities for Nadal to gain masses of points. And given that, despite missing all of these events (apart from Madrid), he's still the solid #4, it's clear that he can make his ascension to #1 quite easily.

And let's not forget that he's playing Acapulco next year too, so there's even more for Nadal to gain. I can't wait for Nadal to start establishing his dominance in other tournaments too. Just imagine how impressive it would be if Nadal won FIVE tournaments (Roland Garros, Rome, Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Acapulco) 8+ times.

Ehhhh, not that impressive, it would be more impressive if he could eventually win 3 grand slams at least twice, much less four times.

rafafan20 · Oct 30, 2012

Clarky21 said:
He's not playing so it is not surprising that his ranking has fallen. It would have fallen any way no matter if he's playing on not. Nadal will never finish the year in the top 2 again,and I think his ranking will hover around #5 if not lower for the rest of his career(since it's almost over).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4laRUcuYXmY

Rafael Nadal and Highest Ranking Again After Falling to #4

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