Former seven-time Grand Slam champion John McEnroe has tipped Rafael Nadal to end the year as the World No.1 in the ATP rankings. Nadal is currently at the third spot in the ATP rankings with 5630 points under his belt while Daniil Medvedev is at the top of the ladder with 6885 points.
Nadal has been in prolific form throughout the season and has a 35-4 record. Earlier in the year, the Spaniard had won the Australian Open and Roland Garros but he had to pull out of the Wimbledon semifinal due to an abdomen injury, which he suffered in the quarterfinal clash against Taylor Fritz.
Nadal recently made a return to the tour after a six-month layoff from injury in the recently concluded Cincinnati Masters. However, he lost in the second round against Croatia’s Borna Coric in a three-set contest, which spoiled his US Open preparations.
“I do think he is the favourite, absolutely,” McEnroe said while talking to Eurosport. “I would be surprised if he doesn’t [finish as world No. 1].
“Especially, as it turned out, it would have helped if there was points at Wimbledon for him. But it hurt people like Novak and other players that had done well the previous year.
“He [Nadal] is in a great position to do that, which is amazing considering that he didn’t play for six months before that. Rafa does things that you can’t believe that it happened, which is why he’s considered the best and up there with the all-time greatest players – you never know what to expect.
Meanwhile, Nadal will look to continue his good show in the upcoming US Open. In fact, it will be interesting to note Nadal’s fitness as he recently admitted he isn’t yet 100%.
The Spaniard has been ticking all the right boxes in the ongoing season and he is going to enter the New York Major as one of the favorites despite a second-round loss in the Cincinnati Masters.
US Open will begin on August 29.
