Stefanos Tsitsipas to Reach New Career-High Ranking, Could Possibly Surpass Rafael Nadal at French Open 2021

Stefanos Tsitsipas reached his first-ever Grand Slam final by defeating Alexander Zverev in the semifinal of the French Open 2021. With this, he moves ahead to a new career-high ranking of fourth and now threatens Rafael Nadal’s World No.3 ranking if he wins the French Open 2021.

Before French Open 2021, Tsitsipas had 7500 points and was ranked fifth. The new directive of ATP states that either a player can keep 50 percent of his 2020 points to 100 percent of his 2021 points, whichever is greater. Hence, Tsitsipas was defending half of his semifinal points earned in 2020.

So if Tsitsipas hadn’t reached the semifinal of Roland Garros 2021, he would have lost 360 points. But as he has now reached the final, he will take the 2021 points as it is larger. He already had 720 points from 2020 and now will add 480 to that number to earn a full 1200, if he loses the final. That will take his total to 7980 and he will go above Dominic Thiem to become the new World No.4.

Thiem had 1200 points from his final appearance in 2019. Since he was ousted in the first round in 2021, he will keep 50 percent of his 2020 points. Hence, the Austrian is keeping 180 points and losing 1020 points. That brings his total down to 7425 points.

How can Stefanos Tsitsipas surpass Rafael Nadal?

There are bigger gains for Tsitsipas. Defending French Open champ Rafael Nadal was ousted by World No.1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinal. Hence, Nadal will keep 50 percent of his 2000 points from 2020. That brings his points total down to 8630, and that is surpassable by Tsitsipas. If Tsitsipas beats Djokovic in the final, he will add 800 points more to the earlier 7980 points. That will take his points to 8780, which will be higher than Rafa’s.

Tsitsipas is now attaining the right ranking that justifies his form. Thiem’s abysmal 2021, hasn’t plagued his ranking a lot. But now, Tsitsipas finally got past the Austrian. Tsitsipas’ clay court season has been impressive with three finals and one win in Monte Carlo.

Read more: How Can Stefanos Tsitsipas Overcome the Novak Djokovic Hurdle in French Open 2021 Final?

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