Roger Federer suffers cruel three-year first after undergoing surgery
Roger Federer has dropped out of the world’s top 3 for the first time in nearly three years after opting to undergo surgery last month.
Dominic Thiem may still be waiting to join the 'Big Three' as a grand slam winner, but at least he now has the consolation of breaking the stranglehold on the rankings enjoyed by Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
TOO GOOD: Nadal and Djokovic titles expose massive lie in men's tennis
‘YOU ARE KIDDING’: Disbelief over Rafa Nadal's 'ridiculous' act
On Monday, Australian Open runner-up Thiem reached a career high of three in the world, knocking Federer down a spot.
The 26-year-old Austrian didn't play last week but he went past Federer when the Swiss star was unable to defend his points gained by winning the Dubai title last year.
Federer, 38, has undergone knee surgery and is not expected back on tour until the grass court season.
It’s the first time since July 2017 that Federer hasn’t been ranked in the top three.
The top of next week's ATP rankings
1 Djokovic
2 Nadal
3 Thiem
4 Federer
Thiem hits a new career high and breaks up the Big Three.
You have to wonder at this stage if Federer will get back to the top 3— Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) March 1, 2020
Since Djokovic joined Federer and Nadal in the Top 3 for the first time in 2007, #Thiem is just 10th player to achieve that feat, after Andy Roddick, Andy Murray, David Ferrer, Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic, Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro
— Tenis Not (@tenisnot) March 2, 2020
Djokovic, Nadal step up title chase
Djokovic won his fifth Dubai title while Nadal swept to a third victory in Acapulco although both men still have some way to go to reach the all-time record.
Djokovic now stands on 79 career trophies and Nadal has 85.
Ivan Lendl won 94 while Federer has 103, six behind Jimmy Connors' leading 109 titles.
Empty feeling on Nishikori return
Former World No.4 Kei Nishikori makes his return to the sport for the first time since the US Open last year when he leads Japan in the Davis Cup qualifier at home to Ecuador this weekend.
However, due to fears over the coronavirus, the Friday-Saturday tie in Miki will be played behind closed doors.
Nishikori has been sidelined after undergoing elbow surgery.
Clijsters steps up second comeback
Four-time major winner Kim Clijsters steps up her second comeback by playing on a wildcard at Monterrey this week.
The 36-year-old played her first match in over seven years in Dubai last month where she was defeated by Garbine Muguruza.
Still unranked, Clijsters has been drawn to face second seed Johanna Konta in the first round in Mexico.
“I feel like with the tennis that I've been playing, I'm improving,” she told wtatennis.com.
“I still have a good level in me. I'm still at the stage where I feel like I need match rhythm.”
Latest rankings:
ATP
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 10,220 points, 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 9,850, 3. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 7,045 (+1), 4. Roger Federer (SUI) 6,630 (-1), 5. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 5,890, 6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,745, 7, Alexander Zverev (GER) 3,630, 8. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 2,860, 9. Gael Monfils (FRA) 2,860, 10. David Goffin (BEL) 2,555
WTA
1. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 8,717 points, 2. Simona Halep (ROU) 6,076, 3. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 5,205, 4. Bianca Andreescu (CAN) 4,555, 5. Sofia Kenin (USA) 4,365, 6. Kiki Bertens (NED) 4,335, 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,301, 8. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 4,010 (+1), 9. Serena Williams (USA) 3,915 (-1), 10. Naomi Osaka (JPN) 3,625
With Yahoo Sports Staff
