Ash Barty and Novak Djokovic's defiant act in rankings debacle
World No.1s Ash Barty and Novak Djokovic were both at risk of losing their rankings heading into Wimbledon, but Tuesday's results have put any lingering worries to bed.
Heading into Wimbledon Ayra Sabalenka had a chance to overtake Barty as World No.1 if the Australian failed to reach the semi-final.
HUGE: Telling detail in Nick Kyrgios notes amid Olympics confusion
'APPALLING': Piers Morgan slammed over Emma Raducanu comment
However, there has been no stopping Barty just yet as the Australian outclassed compatriot Ajla Tomljanovic 6-1, 6-3 to set up a showdown with 2018 Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber.
Djokovic was also facing an end to his extended run at World No.1.
If Daniil Medvedev won Wimbledon, or if he reached the final and Djokovic fell before the showcase event.
But Poland's Hubert Hurkacz in a rain-interrupted fourth-round match against Medvedev won 2-6, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 after it finally resumed on Tuesday.
Thus, both World No.1s are in no threat of losing their ranking and can lift whatever burden was on their shoulders, if there was any, to focus on the match ahead.
Djokovic and Barty are way clear as Number 1s as they are without doubt the best in the world right now. Both players are equally as strong on hard, clay or grass and have won major events across all surfaces. Being the best is about being good in everything not just one surface. pic.twitter.com/iZvlHiiAlK
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) July 6, 2021
Djokovic and Barty are way clear as Number 1s as they are without doubt the best in the world right now. Both players are equally as strong on hard, clay or grass and have won major events across all surfaces. Being the best is about being good in everything not just one surface. pic.twitter.com/iZvlHiiAlK
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) July 6, 2021
Ash Barty silences rankings debate at Wimbledon
Barty will begin her 84th week at World No.1, which was somewhat helped during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The WTA and ATP introduced a frozen ranking systems, which allowed players to keep points from previous tournaments if they were not able to compete due to restrictions from the coronavirus pandemic.
Some fans have been critical of Barty holding on to her ranking during the period, considering she hasn't won a Grand Slam since the 2019 French Open.
Barty played very little in 2020, but has since returned to the WTA Tour and showed why she is justifiably the World No.1 having earned the most year-end points to date in 2021.
Roger Federer recently admitted he would be ranked well outside the World Top 50 if it wasn't for the frozen rankings system.
Djokovic will extend his lead as the man with the most weeks ever at No.1 when he begins his 329th week at the top.
Watch 'Mind Games', the new series from Yahoo Sport Australia exploring the often brutal mental toil elite athletes go through in pursuit of greatness:
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.