Rafael Nadal occupies the worst ranking position since March 2003! A 22-time Major winner dropped 2000 ATP points for the last year’s Roland Garros title on Monday, leaving the top-100 for the first time in over two decades and terminating an incredible streak.
Rafa is currently ranked 136th, mainly thanks to a win at the last year’s ATP Finals over Casper Ruud. The Spanish veteran has not played since the Australian Open, injuring his left hip in the second round and skipping nine tournaments.
Nadal underwent surgery recently, hoping to take the injury away and wrap up his career on his terms in 2024. The 16-year-old Rafa started the 2003 season just outside the top-200. The young gun reached four Challenger finals by March, winning the Barletta title and gaining a boost.
Nadal qualified for the Monte Carlo main draw in April and defeated the reigning Roland Garros champion for a place in the last 16.
Rafael Nadal is not a top-100 player anymore!
Rafa earned a top-100 spot with that win, entering the elite company and never leaving for over two decades!
Nadal is the second player with over 1020 top-100 weeks after Roger Federer, but his streak had to end after Roland Garros. Nadal struggled with injuries in 2022 and still conquered the opening two Majors for the first time in a career.
Rafa led the ATP Race in June and had a great chance to become world no. 1 by the end of the season. Instead, the Spaniard experienced an abdominal tear at Wimbledon, ruining his progress. Nadal withdrew ahead of the semi-final clash with Nick Kyrgios and never reached that level again.
Rafa has played only 13 matches since last August, never finding the rhythm and witnessing more blows. Nadal made a slow start to the current season and entered the Australian Open with no confidence after two United Cup losses.
He experienced a severe hip injury against Mackenzie McDonald in the second round and lost the title in the worst way. The Spaniard revealed a Grade 2 iliopsoas that should have kept him away from the court for two months. Instead, a 22-time Major champion is yet to recover, losing ground and experiencing one of the worst periods of his incredible career.
Rafa underwent surgery, eager to make one last push and end his remarkable career at his favorite tournaments in 2024, including the Olympic Games in Paris.
