Nadal Is “This Close” To Number One On The Tour

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 4th October 2013

Nadal Is “This Close” To Number One On The Tour

epa03895537 Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates winning the quarter finals men's singles against Fabio Fognini of Italy at the China Open tennis tournament at the National Tennis Center in Beijing, China, 04 October 2013. EPA/ADRIAN BRADSHAW |

With Rafael Nadal bearing down – the Spaniard needs a final this weekend in Beijing to take back the ATP No. 1 ranking he last held three years ago – top-ranked rival Novak Djokovic is keeping cool under pressure in Beijing.

“I try to do what I have to do, that is to win games,” the current No. 1 said. “Ranking change all the time so they still change, but we cannot think about it. My job is to win as many games as possible and the ranking will follow the results.”

Djokovic has never lost in Beijing, winning all three times he has entered, with trophies at three of the last four editions. Nadal has dominated the ATP since coming back in February from knee problems, winning 10 titles including the French and US Opens.

Djokovic won the Australian Open but only owns three titles in 2013, the last earned in Monte Carlo at the expense of Nadal nearly half a year ago.

Unconfirmed reports are circulating in the locker room that Djokovic, whose season has been marginal at best in 2013, might be questioning his relationship with longtime coach Marian Vjada. Djokovic recently let go one member of his team, a Serbian friend and sparring partner, who was picked up as coach for another player.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Atp, Australian Open, French Open, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open