Carlos Alcaraz calls Rafael Nadal the ‘BEST’ player of all time as the two Spaniards occupy the top 2 ranks

Carlos Alcaraz calls Rafael Nadal the ‘BEST’ player of all time as the two Spaniards occupy the top 2 ranks

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz begins his 4th week as the World No. 1 as the ATP rankings are updated once again. He is however now accompanied by childhood hero and compatriot Rafael Nadal who rises to World No. 2 following Casper Ruud‘s defeat in Korea.

Nadal was absent from the Tour last week while Ruud dropped 205 points resulting in the 22-time Grand Slam winner’s re-entry into the Top 2. Alcaraz took to his Twitter handle to express his delight and wrote, “Two at the top of the ranking! ? Proud to share this historical moment with @RafaelNadal, the best player of all time! ?? Come on!”

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Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz match Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi’s long-standing record

Rafa Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz continues to lead the rankings with 6740 points while Nadal sits second at 5810 points and Ruud at third with 5645 points. This is the first time since 2000 that two men from the same country are ranked in the top 2. The last pair of compatriots to do were Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

If the two Spaniards are able to hold the top 2 ranks, they would match another record. Sampras with Michael Chang back in 1996 were the last pair of compatriots to finish the year in the top 2 and the pair of Nadal and Alcaraz could match the two men provided they remain unmoved from the top 2.

However, a lot could change over the course of this month with as many as ten events scheduled in the busy month of October. With the Paris Masters and the ATP Finals each offering 1000 ranking points, it would require some effort from Nadal and Alcaraz to maintain their ranks over the next few weeks.

Alcaraz returns to action at the 2022 Astana Open while Nadal continues to stay home with his pregnant wife as the couple expects their first son soon. Nadal is yet to announce his next event and he is most likely to return for the Paris Masters to get match practice ahead of the 2022 ATP Finals scheduled a week after the event in Paris.

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