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Federer and Nadal in race for World No.1 ranking

Yahoo Sport Australia

Earlier this year it would have been unthinkable that Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal would end 2017 as the No.1 player in the world.

Before January's Australian Open Nadal was No.9 in the world, while Federer was way down at No.16.

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Many experts said the two long-time rivals were on the verge of retirement after injury-plagued 2016 seasons.

But as we head into the final grand slam of the year, there's every chance either Federer (No.3) or Nadal (No.2) could begin the US Open in the No.1 spot.

Nadal and Federer at the Australian Open. Image: Getty
Nadal and Federer at the Australian Open. Image: Getty

Andy Murray has spent the past 38 weeks as No. 1, but needs to win virtually every big title for the rest of the year to retain it.

World No.4 Novak Djokovic looks likely to skip the US Open, while defending champion Stan Wawrinka needs to win at Flushing Meadows or risk dropping rankings points.

2017 has seen an incredible resurgence from Federer and Nadal, with the Swiss great winning the Australian Open and Wimbledon, while the Spaniard won his 10th French Open crown.

Outside of the majors, Nadal also won titles in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid, while Federer was victorious at Indian Wells and Halle.

As we head into the American hard court season, Nadal (7465) trails Murray (7750) by only 285 points and leads Federer (6545) by 920 points.

Image: ATP
Image: ATP

Nadal could have captured the No.1 ranking if he made the Hamburg final, but has chosen not to play.

That leaves the door open for Federer, who is favoured on the faster hard court surfaces and will head into the US Open expected to win a 20th grand slam title.

He is not playing the Rogers Cup, opting for the speedier courts of Cincinnati (where he has won seven titles since 2005).

Federer can gain the No.1 ranking before the US Open if he makes deep runs in Montreal and Cincinnati (and if Murray and Nadal are ousted early).

Ironically, Federer and Nadal have never faced each other at a US Open. Could we see them make history this year in a tantilising battle for the No.1 ranking?

"I think it's going to be a three or four-way race, or two-way race between me and Rafa Nadal,” Federer said recently.

"I hope it's me and not Rafa because it means a lot to me to get back to No.1."