Rafael Nadal Clinches The 2013 No. 1 Ranking After Beating Wawrinka At The ATP Finals

by Staff | November 6th, 2013, 1:12 pm
  • 70 Comments

Rafael Nadal capped off his improbable comeback from a 2012 knee injury by clinching the year-end No. 1 ATP Ranking for a third time today after defeating Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6, 7-6 at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday afternoon.

The 27-year-old Spaniard previously finished at the top in 2008 and 2010, and becomes the first player to hold, lose and regain the year-end No. 1 Emirates ATP Ranking on two occasions. Roger Federer and Ivan Lendl each accomplished the feat once. Nadal will be presented with the ATP World Tour No. 1 trophy this week at The O2.

This is the 10th straight season that the year-end World No. 1 ranking has been held by Nadal (2008, ’10, ‘13), Federer (2004-07, ’09) or Novak Djokovic (2011-12).


Nadal returned to World No. 1 on 7 October for the first time in more than two years after reaching his 13th final of a phenomenal season at the China Open in Beijing. He made his comeback in February with a No. 5 ranking following a seven-month injury layoff and won 10 titles, including Roland Garros, US Open and five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 triumphs. He also went undefeated on hard courts (26-0) through the China Open final, when he finished runner-up to Djokovic.

Nadal first attained the No. 1 ranking on 18 August 2008 for a period of 46 weeks, becoming the first Spaniard to finish a season at the summit of men’s professional tennis. He regained the top spot from Federer on 7 June 2010, for another 56-week stretch, before relinquishing No. 1 to Djokovic following the 2011 Wimbledon final. Nadal competes in London at No. 1 for the 107th week in his career.

The Mallorcan is looking to win his first Barclays ATP World Tour Finals title this week at The O2 in London. He achieved his best finish in 2010, when he came in No. 1 and lost to Federer in the final. Nadal is making his sixth appearance at the season finale; he has qualified nine times.

“Today was more important secure the No. 1 at the end of the season. That’s the real thing. Because at the end during all my season I said is not my goal, but the real thing is after all the success I had during the season, winning, you know, five Masters 1000s, playing a final in another, winning a few 500s, playing another final, winning two Grand Slams, so I think that after all what happened last year, I felt I deserved to be there at the end of the season. And today I did. So was one of the, you know, best things that I did in my career: come back to the No. 1 after three seasons. That’s very difficult in our sport, and after a very important injury. That’s an emotional thing for me, for sure. In the same time be able to qualify for the semifinals is an extra thing. And the good thing is after two matches now, I can really be focused only on the tournament because the year‑end is over.

” I don’t want to fight for the No. 1 in the next season. I think is not my (indiscernible) today to fight for the No. 1. My (indiscernible) is fight to try to be enough competitive to keep having chances to win important tournaments, and that’s my goal. That’s my biggest goal, the thing that really motivates me. At the end this year I never fight for No. 1. This year, because all the success that I had, I am the No. 1, but I never thought about that during the season. I will start the next season trying to be fit for Australia, trying to give me more chances to compete for the best tournaments of the year. That’s my motivation, and I will fight for that and I will work hard for that.”

ATP WORLD TOUR YEAR-END NO. 1
Year Player
2013 Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2012 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2011 Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2010 Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2009 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2008 Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2007 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2006 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2005 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2004 Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2003 Andy Roddick (U.S.)
2002 Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
2001 Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
2000 Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil)
1999 Andre Agassi (U.S.)
1998 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1997 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1996 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1995 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1994 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1993 Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1992 Jim Courier (U.S.)
1991 Stefan Edberg (Sweden)
1990 Stefan Edberg (Sweden)
1989 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1988 Mats Wilander (Sweden)
1987 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1986 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1985 Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1984 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1983 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1982 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1981 John McEnroe (U.S.)
1980 Bjorn Borg (Sweden)
1979 Bjorn Borg (Sweden)
1978 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1977 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1976 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1975 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1974 Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1973 Ilie Nastase (Romania)


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70 Comments for Rafael Nadal Clinches The 2013 No. 1 Ranking After Beating Wawrinka At The ATP Finals

youyong Says:

Congrats Rafa! Stan played really well today and this was a match that could have easily gone his way. He fought back in both sets and made it very tough for Rafa.


hawkeye Says:

VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!! VAMOS!!!

RAFAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(goat)


Giles Says:

Vamos Champ!!
Proud to be your fan!


the DA Says:

Fantastic match and a fitting way to reclaim No. 1. Congrats to Rafa and his fans. Well deserved. Hope his British fellow player and friend will be inspired for his own comeback.


Giles Says:

@ hawkeye. You can stop doing the Maths now! :-)))
Vamos Rafa!!


hawkeye Says:

P-minus Zero.

We have lift-off.

Vamos No. 1 Commander Rafael Nadal.


princessice Says:

Numero Uno! Rafael Nadal! Vamos!!!


Patson Says:

Congrats to Rafa. He deserves the number 1 ranking.
People should appreciate what he brings to the game.


shamboozie Says:

Hooligan element floating on this site.


Steve 27 Says:

El número 1, without a doubt.
Legend!


Giles Says:

bgtennisnation Brad Gilbert:
The 3 year gap that Rafa finished #1 2010 and now 2013 is the lonest in ATP history for someone to get it back, amazing stat.
Vamos Champ!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Patson nice post,but personally i wont be holding my breath anytime soon.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Giles thanks for that link,it was a fantastic shot from Rafa.


Humble Rafa Says:

When I beat Swiss players, good things happen to me.

Story of my wonderful life.


Slice Tennis Says:

Humble Rafa,
In fact both these swiss players are your real door mats, and not Ferrer.


Okiegal Says:

I watched the match on live stream and the reception was great……but not as great as the hot shot!! I could not believe he got that point….amazing!!

Congratulations, Rafa on being year end numero uno!!
You deserve it, winning RG one more time was a major challenge and winning USO put the icing on the cake.

Ready for Aussie Open……VAMOS RAFA!!!


Okiegal Says:

I noticed Pete has the most wins in a row for year end #1…….that might be a tough record to break.


the DA Says:

I see Wawa has complained about Uncle Toni’s coaching during the match. tsk tsk That’s not what lost you the match Stan. That’s 2 days in a row where Swiss players have given grumpy interviews.


madmax Says:

A great match to watch today.

Proud of swiss no. 2 taking it to spanish no.1. Stan’s backhand, just wow.

After the success of rafa this year, he does deserve the no. 1, no doubt about it.


Slice Tennis Says:

Humble Rafa,
Your two punching bags from swiss are of really high quality. They have withstood real abuse from you for a long time.


madmax Says:

the DA Says:
I see Wawa has complained about Uncle Toni’s coaching during the match. tsk tsk That’s not what lost you the match Stan. That’s 2 days in a row where Swiss players have given grumpy interviews.

November 6th, 2013 at 3:33 pm

the DA, thought that on court coaching was not allowed?

Ummmmhhh, thought Federer was VERY honest about his own game, so what’s your problem?


hawkeye Says:

Swiss No. 2 is veeeery close to becoming Swiss No. 1.

P-minus 275


the DA Says:

@ madmax – Of course coaching isn’t allowed but that’s not why Rafa won today.

“so what’s your problem?”

Chillax. I have no problem. Reporters said Fed was very grumpy and sarcastic in his interview. You can tell from his answers. Just remarking on it because it’s a rare occurrence.


rogerafa Says:

Congratulations to Alison and other Rafa fans! I do not think that YE no. 1 is that important (the top rank IS more important and Rafa would have surely clinched it early next year anyway in case of an unlikely takeover by Novak this year) but it is some nice icing on a wonderful cake this year. It seems Rafa will be heading the rankings for quite a long period hereafter.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Thankyou Rogerafa for those sweet words,i was Alison originally but i changed my monikor,i love yours too BTW.


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Daveed got beat in straight sets by Berdych,he needs to beat Stan now so he does,nt end up getting whitewashed,i hope Rafa beats Berdych so he gets to tthe semis 3 and 0,i have a feeling that Richie might end up getting whitewashed in the other group,as i cannot see him beating Novak or Roger.


M Says:

Amazing. I only saw highlights, but it looked like Stan by no means made it easy.

#VAMOSRAFA


Daniel Says:

Congrats Nadal for this historical comeback year.
Now he can focus in winning here as he is the only Year End #1 to not have won WTF in his career from that list in the articoe. Correct me if I am wrong but I think somebody posted this stat before.
Also he will hold it at leats to IW. Depending on his result in AO and if he plays Miami he can hold it until next year summer hard court swing (unless tragedy happens during his clay swing). So he is assured at least more 18-20 weeks.


tennisfansince76 Says:

@illegal that’s going to be almost impossible to break. Realistically top tennis players have a window from about 22 to 28 to be #1. That’s 7 years. So a player has to win six years of seven.that means no off years, no serious injuries and you must turn back every challenge to your crown. Not easy


Bad Knee Rules Says:

What would I do without Uncle Toni, I still have to hold his hand when I am crossing the street.

———-
“It’s nothing personal against Rafa or against [Nadal uncle and coach] Toni,” Wawrinka said. “We all know, players and umpire, that Toni is always trying to help Rafa. That’s normal. That’s part of the game. But when it’s too much, it’s too much.

“Today I didn’t agree with the umpire that he didn’t tell him something or he didn’t give him second warning just because it was Rafa. We all see. I was there. Before every point, he was trying to coach him. That just what happened. Again, it’s nothing against Rafa or Toni. That’s in the rules. Normally the umpire should have done something.”
———-


Humble Rafa Says:

Dear Switzerland,

Even if your uncle was sitting in your box, you still can’t beat me.

Thank you for your gifts. They mean a lot to me.

Humble Highness


hawkeye Says:

Bad Back Rules Thinks:

10-21 is KILLING me!!! Hope Fedfan doesn’t cry again. It’s true. Rafa IS the GOAT. And my hero losing record to Murray and soon Nole too! There really WAS a weak era. Retire now Roger before it’s too late!!!!! I know, I’ll cheer for Del Potro now and Nole too!!!

shank-you, shank-you very much.


Anna Says:

Looks like I’m late to the party, but YIPPEE! So glad he sewed this up today, I would have been hyperventilating all through Fridays match. And I guess Stan is speaking Mallorcan now. It’s got to be frustrating to lose 14 times to the same guy. Especially when he came so close.


metan Says:

Congrats to RAFA for getting YEN#1. I am so proud to become his fans .


tennisfansince76 Says:

that was @okiegal not @illegal $@#$$% autocomplete


Humble Rafa Says:

that was @okiegal not @illegal $@#$$% autocomplete

That name has to be illegal. Get a cool name, dear okiegal.


Steve 27 Says:

Now he can focus in winning here as he is the only Year End #1 to not have won WTF in his career from that list in the articoe. Correct me if I am wrong but I think somebody posted this stat before.

Is not correct. Mats Wilander never won The Masters


Steve 27 Says:

Stan “The Boy” Wawrinla. Another looser that cant stand his own missery. Typical swiss thing. First, in 2009, some guy spoiled the party with his tears, and now another swiss is crying inconsolably.
Rightly have never won the Davis Cup!


andrea Says:

congrats to nadal! a fitting end to an incredible year for him.


Sivaji Says:

Congrats Rafa. You have done IT again.


WTF Says:

Really? Did stan cry after losing to Rafa?


Steve 27 Says:

Wtf, figuratively speaking.
By the way, have you got that name by the end of year tournament?


Skeezer Says:

’10-21 is KILLING me!!! Hope Fedfan doesn’t cry again. It’s true. Rafa IS the GOAT. And my hero losing record to Murray and soon Nole too! There really WAS a weak era. Retire now Roger before it’s too late!!!!! I know, I’ll cheer for Del Potro now and Nole too!!!

shank-you, shank-you very much.”

Excuse my injury losses excuses very much. Excuse me, excuse me very much.
I only claim losses to injury or to surfaces I prefer. Only when I lose, of course.
Anyone heard of Clay? All surfaces should be that, only to be fair, of course.
And thank my fans for letting my coach tell me what to do in a match. After all, i can’t win buy myself. Kisses, hugs and butt picks, Free posters in armani at request.


Okiegal Says:

@Tennis fan since1976

No problem with the posting @illegal instead of okiegal……hey, I was glad to get a response from someone. I even got one from humble rafa…..He said I should change my moniker to something COOL…so I was thinking about Icy Okiegal. What cha think, Hum Bum?????


Bad Knee Rules Says:

I’m not a Federer fan, I never was. I’m a tennis fan. Federer has the most records, therefore he is the best to ever play this game. When somebody else has more records he will be the best ever. That’s how things work in a normal civilised world, but not in the Rafa groupies world.


I Love Tennis Says:

Congratulations to Rafa Nadal for the Year End Number 1, he really deserved it.

I think it is more fitting to celebrate Nadal’s phenomenal year and what he brings to the tennis world than to diminish and disrespect other players accomplishments.

Not a Nadal fan, but who would not admire his great talent, grit and determination on the tennis court, as i said, he’s just phenomenal … like the other greats of the sport.


Okiegal Says:

@Tennisfansince 76

I wasn’t concerned that you confused my moniker by addressing illegal instead of Okiegal…I was just glad someone responded to my post. Thanks!

@Humble Rafa
I am sorry that you think my moniker isn’t COOL….what cha think about me changing it to ICY OKIEGAL, Hum Bum?? Would that suit you?

Vamos Rafa and congrats on you achievements this year….well deserved!! Your #1 fan from Oklahoma wishes you the best for 2014!!!


Giles Says:

Yes Wawa did cry after losing to Rafa – to the press.
It’s a Swiss thing, cry babies. Rafa has beaten him 12-0 now, that’s bound to hurt!


Giles Says:

Rafael Nadal Year End World Number 1. I like the sound of that!
Vamos King Rafa!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Agree with I love Tennis,Rafas a phenomenal player and deserves to be number 1 after the year hes had,however like any other player i dont think hes perfect,and when celebrating i dont think its fair to p*ss on the achievements of other players either,and i have to say although i enjoyed it at the time,im sick of hereing about the Armani photo shoot,and i really wish Rafa had never done it.


Giles Says:

I think the Armani photo shoot was brilliant. Derogatory comments on that scenario only come from jealous people. The man has a beautiful physique worthy of display so what is the problem?


Giles Says:

Let’s be honest here, no matter what Rafa does or achieves, we will always have the haters jumping on the bandwagon known as the Rafa hate brigade. So ….
Vamos Rafa!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

Giles i agree with both of your posts whatever the guy does will never be good enough,and as i say i did enjoy it at the time when he did Armani both Beckham and Ronaldo did it,and like Rafa are both very prominent in the world of sport so indeed why not?,but its over and done with now and needs leaving in the past, and Rafa shouldnt be held under ridicule because he did do it either.


Giles Says:

Armani choosing Rafa as their model was indeed an honour IMO. Out of the millions of hunks out there in the world they chose Rafa. Wow!!!


Tennis X Hippy Chic Says:

^And a better choice than Beckham and Ronaldo,who are both overated IMO^.


holdserve Says:

Vamos Rafa!!!!! Congrats to Rafa and Rafans!
A well deserved no. 1 and here’s to a long reign at the top!
I am also full of admiration for Djokovic. What a player!
This is the true golden era where a player with 5 Masters and 2 slams has to wait till the last tournament of the year to get to no. 1 because his rival is so good that that rival goes on an unbelievable winning spree!
Can you imagine any such scenario in the weak era?


holdserve Says:

Bad knee rules is probably a Fed fan but it doesn’t matter. From his screen name it is clear he is a Rafa hater, adding further weight to my hypothesis that there exist only 2 classes of fans, Rafans and anti- Rafans.


holdserve Says:

I am proud of Rafa’s accomplishments on court and proud that he was chosen to represent Armani. What a magnificent body!!!
A great tennis player ( arguably the greatest!) and the “handsomest” hunk!!!


Daniel Says:

holdserve,

The weak era second tier player (Nadal) was not good enough to prevent that from happening, allowing Fed to close #1 in September because back them he was only a dirtballer. It took him 5 to 7 years to finally learn how to play on hardcourts to increase his ranking points outside clay.

Sorry, I don’t like to go in this fights but this one was asking for it. Eveytime you undermine Fed wear era you undermine Nadal as well.

The truth is, we hardly ever have the “big 4” playing good at the same time have we. If you look at last 4 years, all raniking swift happened with 1 of them absent or the other having issues. This thought came to my mind recently. When was the last time all 4 of them were playing good (not even great, at the same time.

– WTF 2013 – Murray out, Nadal, Djoko and Fed playing great at the same time
– US Open 2013 – Murray out, Fed having post back recovery problems
– Wimby 2013 – Fed (back problems)and Nadal (had some minor issue with knee after demanding clay swing, 2 upsets
– RG 2103 – Murray did not play, Fed playng good but not in his clay best
– AO 2013 – Djoko, Fed and Murrya playing great ath the same time, Nadal out
– WTF 2012 – Nadal out, Fed and Djoko playing great, Murray overwhelmed by US Open win (first major)
– US Open 2012 – Nadal out, Djoko and Murrya playing great Fed, playing good
– Wimby 2012 – all of them playing great at the same time until Nadal was upset and knee issue appear.
This was the only time pre tourney, all 4 were playing great but after Nadal knee it can be disregarded
– RG 2012 – Djoko, Nadal playing great, Fed good Murray not a parameter as he doesn’t perform well in RG. This could be the last spam with they on equal terms
– AO 2012 – All playing great at the same time. This was it!:)
– 2011 well, Djokovic happened and the rest is history


holdserve Says:

Rafa wasn’t of prime age before 2008.
When both Rafa and Fed were in their prime 2008-2012, Fed had real competition.
Sadly, whether you accept this fact or not, it is a fact that Rafa is 5 years younger than Fed.
He was not in his prime till 2008 which is equivalent of 2003 for Fed.


Nirmal Kumar Says:

holdserve, It’s ok to say Rafa’s prime was from 2008. How did u conclude that 2008-2012 is also Roger’s prime. What was his age during this period?


hawkeye Says:

Bad Back Rules Says:
When somebody else has more records he will be the best ever. That’s how things work in a normal civilised world, but not in the Rafa groupies world.

Wasn’t aware that JMac, Agassi, Courier, Blake, Muzza, Nole and Sampras were Rafa groupies. Who knew?

BTW, Daniel above is cherry picking his facts (federzii SOP) and neglects to mention how young Rafa was during the peak weak era years 2004-06 when he was just 18-20!!! Still managed two majors and a Wimby final. What had Fedfan accomplished at that age. Ah yes, was still learning not to have on court tantrums (until AO ’09).

Brilliant!!!


skeezer Says:

holdserve!
OMG! Rafa cut his finger on a piece of bread! Check it here! Hurry! OMGOMGOMG:
http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2013-11-07/14141.php


hawkeye Says:

Fedfan must have been cutting onions in AO ’09, USO ’10 vs Nole and vs Delpo in Basel this fall.

It’s KILLING meeeeeee!!!!!!

Shank-you very much.


Giles Says:

hawkeye. Hahaha too funny!


holdserve Says:

So nirmal kumar according to you when did Fed’s prime end?
While the lower end of the prime 21-22 cannot be pushed down to a lower age because of nature’s restrictions like skeletal maturity between 21 and 26, muscle mass attaining maximum at 25 etc, and of course experience reaching a certain level which we can call “criical mass” (and also emotional maturity) the upper end of prime can be pushed up with better training methods and diet though likely not beyond 31 unless someone starts taking HGH.
Although Fed fans claim it is Rafa fans who say Rafa is invincible except when injured, actually it is Fed fans who try to float the myth that Fed is invincible unless he is injured or ill or beyond his prime.
So if Fed starts losing in 2008 when he was 26-27, according to you he was past his prime?


Nirmal Kumar Says:

I never said he was past his prime. I just asked you, how did u conclude that his prime ended in 2012. Is it because be became No1 player or he won wimby?


WTF Says:

Steve 27 Says:

“Wtf, figuratively speaking.
By the way, have you got that name by the end of year tournament?”

Yes, I licensed it.

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