Rafael Nadal is still within striking distance of the year end No. 1 ranking (an honor that’s confusingly named the “2009 ATP World Tour Champion”), depending on how both he and Roger Federer perform at the World Tour Finals next week in London. The ATP provides Rafa’s plan of attack for the potential Battle for the Year End No. 1s:
Here are the key scenarios in the battle for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title:
1. If Nadal is an undefeated champion at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals (winning all-three round-robin matches, a semi-final and final) he will earn the maximum 1,500 points. If that happens, Federer would need to either win all three round-robin matches OR reach the final to beat out Nadal for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.
2. If Nadal goes 2-1 in round-robin play and wins the title he will earn 1,300 points. If that happens, Federer would need to either win two round-robin matches OR win one round-robin match and reach the final to beat out Nadal for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.
3. If Nadal goes 3-0 in round-robin play, wins his semi-final but loses the final he will earn 1,000 points. If that happens, Federer would need only to win one round-robin match to beat out Nadal for the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion title.
Working against Nadal’s chances are the respective Barclays ATP World Tour Finals records of both players. Federer boasts one of the greatest records at the season finale with a 27-5 match record, including four titles from five straight finals between 2003-07. Nadal, however, is yet to play his best tennis at the event. In two appearances in 2006-07 he went 2-1 in round-robin play but fell in the semi-finals.
Question for you rankings nerds out there – aren’t there ATP points given for Davis Cup play, too? Would that have an effect and/or is the Year Ending No. 1 awarded before the Davis Cup final?
Loading ...Tags: ATP, Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, Federer, Nadal, No. 1 ranking, tennis
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They do give points for DC – they count in the 500 category. But unless Rafa can get more than 100 points for the final, he’d do better at keeping the points he earned in 500 events. From the rules:
Q. What are the ranking rules for players who compete in Davis Cup?
A. Davis Cup points will be awarded for the first time in 2009 for World Group and World Group playoff ties only. Points allocated are as part of the 500 point category. Davis Cup does not count towards a player’s commitment to the 500 category. The points accumulated in the four ties within the previous 52 weeks can become part of a player’s 500 category if:
1. Player has not more than three 500 results within the previous 52 weeks and Davis Cup result(s) is better than lowest best other.
2. Player has four 500 results within the previous 52 weeks and Davis Cup result(s) is better than the lowest 500. Also, 500 0-pointers cannot be replaced.
Thanks, Miri, for filling us in on the intricacies of the rankings system. Makes sense!
the points, while interesting to know, kind of confuse me. i’ll stick to cheering for rog and hoping for the best! plus, i can’t vote on the poll for fear of jinxing fed.
Judy, I had the same thought about the poll! I’ve been jinxing Roger in the polls since the US Open. I’m not going to vote in this one and see if that helps.
I love gtt polls, but I’ve been avoiding them for some time for fear of jinxing fed or adding undue pressure.
besides, you never know what will happen!
a poll i could participate in would be one related to rog pics.
like which pic is hottest or do you prefer him with our without stubble? ha! i have to be honest, i occasionally miss the stubble. damn it gillette!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41775000/jpg/_41775944_federer400gt.jpg
I love that photo! But I like that Roger is one of the least stubbly of all the top players!
Rafa needs a Gillette contract – I think he looks so much better when he shaves. That goes for almost everyone on the ATP tour (that means you Murray, del Po!) IMHO.
I read on MTF that Nadal can only get 40 points from DC, so…
ahhhh what a nail biter! I’m gonna be pretty pissed if Roger doesn’t get the year end #1 after the amazing year he’s had!
It sounded like Roger knows what he needs to do, from the interview after he lost in Paris – play more aggressive, etc. So hopefully with doing those things we won’t even have to be biting our nails! I am just hoping they show all the matches on TV. It looks like, on the Tennis Channel schedule, that they are going to be showing doubles and singles, so it’s hard to see how they will fit them all in. I want to watch every singles match!
I feel better that it’s basically in Fed’s hands. Even if Rafa were to win every single match next week (an achievement I consider unlikely) Fed can still take the year-end #1 by either winning all three of his RR matches, or getting to the final. He doesn’t even have to win the tournament.
(I guess this means that Rafa could win every match next week, beat Fed in the final, and still not make it to number 1. That’d be brutal for him.)
Gosh a Fed/Rafa final where Rafa wins and Roger remains No. 1 would be a pretty controversial result, wouldn’t it? But I do think Rog deserves the No. 1 ranking for his stellar performances in all 4 slams. Hopefully he can fufill at least the minimum requirements in London to hold onto it – as you said, it’s a pretty reasonable ask.
I’m nervous. So nervousss. Who knows what could happen in London? I just hope the Federer from Cincy shows up to play.
+1
excellent idea… fed from cincy could beat everyone! he rocked that tourny, getting the vendetta on novak and andy murray in convincing fashion. great defense and aggressive offense. he should be rested and ready! let’s go roger!
I really liked that Roger, too!
I’m not too sure either Roger or Rafa will win the event, based on how they are playing. However, in that scenario, I think Roger will end year as #1. I think Davis Cup is more important to Rafa from an emotional perspective.
Arrgh!!Roger Federer year end #1 is all i want to hear!!Nothing more!!
i have total confidence in rog.
he does want it.
i like the new banner, but what a difference a year makes… half of the guys are not in it and new guys are in this year. love that rog and rafa are the focus though. i hope roddick is healthy and can play. rog should play with a purpose!
Roger Federer the one & only!!