Tennis News: Rafael Nadal receives Samaranch Prize; afraid to lose the top spot to Novak Djokovic
Reigning world number one Rafael Nadal of Spain has reflected that there are strong chances that he might lose the top spot to the second ranked, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, in the South African Airways ATP Ranking. He believes that
the way Djokovic is playing tennis these days, there is a clear possibility that he might take over the top spot from in the next few weeks.
The 24-year-old Spaniard was addressing the audience after receiving the international Juan Antonio Samaranch Prize in Madrid. Nadal expressed his concerns of losing the top spot to the Serb and stated that even if he repeats his
perfect clay-court sweep through Roland Garros this year, he still might not prevent Djokovic from claiming the number one position. The Spaniard believes that his wins at ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) 1000 tournaments in Madrid and Rome in next
two weeks, plus his sixth French Open victory will not yield him enough points to hold the top spot.
“Djokovic has a good chance of being No. 1 in the next two or three months,” said Nadal, who is the top seed in Madrid, which begins Sunday. “I could lose the No. 1 ranking even if I win nearly everything and this isn’t normal.
He has very little to defend and I am defending a lot of points through to Wimbledon. For me, what is important, is the points at the end of the year.”
The world number one won the three clay-court events last year and has begun the current year’s European clay-court season by bagging titles at Monte-Carlo and Barcelona. Nadal was awarded the Samaranch Prize this Thursday in recognition
of his unmatchable feats he achieved in the recent years and for the sporting values the Spaniard has been exhibiting throughout his illustrious career.
The Spaniard arrived at Madrid early for watching the UEFA Champions League semi-final matchup between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at the Bernebeu on Wednesday evening and started off his preparations for the Mutua Madrid Open.
Nadal is running a 34-match winning streak on clay courts and is eyeing to bag the title at Madrid, where he defeated his arch rival, Roger Federer, in the final at the last year’s edition.
There are chances that the World number one might go one on one against Djokovic in the final at Caja Magica but the top seed stated that his core attention is on his opening round competitor, as he wants a good beginning to the
tournament.
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