50 years ago today

[Mainad]

23rd August 1973, the computerised ATP rankings began. They calculated that Ilie Nastase was the 1st official world #1. There have been 27 other players since who have held that ranking if even only briefly.
Novak Djokovic holds the record with 389 weeks as world #1. The current holder, Carlos Alcaraz, has now completed 34 weeks.

The Rankings That Changed Tennis | ATP Tour | Tennis

From print outs on gigantic paper sheets and late-night phone calls chasing results to today’s real-time system, straight off a Chair Umpire’s electronic scorecard, the Pepperstone ATP Rankings have been an indispensable barometer connecting every level of professional tennis since its debut on...

www.atptour.com

 

[urban]

Actually a good article. One has to note, that initially the ATP computer ranking was made for the seeding system of individual tournaments, to help the tournament directors. The average system was flawed, and favored the players, who played less and selective. Due to the "socialist" players union status of the ATP, invitationals and select play off events like the ATP year end masters or the WCT finals were no counted. So up until the end of the 1970s, the paper rankings of Wotld Tennis or Tennis Magazine or Lance Tingay had more weight than the year end computer ranking.

 

[Hitman]

Hopefully Djokovic wins at least his first round match to get back to world number one for certain post USO, and smash 400 weeks at the top on the 50th year anniversary of the rankings.

 

[Mainad]

Pic of the year-end No.1's from the 40th anniversary celebrations 10 years ago (Sampras and Agassi did not attend):

 

[Airspun]

 

[Mainad]

Top 10 records in ATP rankings history:

Top 10 Records Pepperstone ATP Rankings 50th Anniversary | ATP Tour | Tennis

www.atptour.com

 

[Lleytonstation]

... Fed was born.

 

[Mainad]

... Fed was born.

Not until 1981, 8 years later.

 

[Lleytonstation]

Not until 1981, 8 years later.

He has always been older.

 

[DSH]

Pic of the year-end No.1's from the 40th anniversary celebrations 10 years ago (Sampras and Agassi did not attend):

Why didn't they attend, especially Agassi, who is much more open to attending these kinds of events than his archrival?

 

[Mainad]

Why didn't they attend, especially Agassi, who is much more open to attending these kinds of events than his archrival?

No idea. Maybe they couldn't stand the thought of being in the same room together?