Djokovic returns to Number 1
THE 2023 Australian Open saw a host of thrilling storylines play out, from Novak Djokovic capturing a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title to the NextGenATP American Ben Shelton reaching the quarter-finals on tournament debut in Melbourne.
Now the dust has settled, ATPTour.com looks at the movers of the week in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings following the first Grand Slam of the season.
Number 1 Novak Djokovic, +4
(Joint Career High)
The Serbian has returned to No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time since last June after he defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown.
The 35-year-old's rise from World No. 5 to World No. 1 is the biggest jump to the top of the men's tennis mountain in the history of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings (since 1973).
If Djokovic remains World No. 1 through the week of 20 February, he will tie Stefanie Graf 's record for most weeks as World No. 1 in history (men and women) at 377.
If the Serbian maintains top spot through the week of 27 February, he will break Graf's mark. Read Australian Open Final Report & Watch Highlights.
Number 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, +1
(Joint Career High)
The 24-year-old has risen one spot to No. 3 after advancing to his second Grand Slam final at the Australian Open.
The Greek overcame seeds Jannik Sinner and Karen Khachanov en route to the championship match. However, he was unable to move past Djokovic, with the
Serbian improving to 11-2 in their ATP Head2Head series.
Number 13 Karen Khachanov,
+7
The 26-year-old produced some of his best tennis in Melbourne to reach his second major semi-final, having advanced to that stage at the US Open in September. Khachanov dispatched seeds Frances Tiafoe, Yoshihito Nishioka and Sebastian Korda before being stopped by Tsitsipas. The four-time tour-level titlist reached a
career-high No. 8 in 2019.
Number 19 Tommy Paul, +16
(Career High)
The Americans delivered at the Australian Open, with Tommy Paul, Korda and Shelton all reaching the quarter-finals. It marked the first time since 2000 that three American men had advanced to the last eight in Melbourne — and the first time at any Slam since the 2005 US Open.
Tommy Paul went the furthest, reaching his first major semi-final.
The 25-year-old defeated countrymen Jenson Brooksby and Shelton along with seeds Roberto Bautista Agut and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina en route to the last four.
Number 39 Jiri Lehecka, +32
(Career High)
The 21-year-old Czech has leaped 32 spots after soaring to the quarter-finals. The 2022 Next Gen ATP Finals runner-up, who arrived in Melbourne holding a 0-4 record at majors, upset seeds Borna Coric, Cameron Norrie and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
Number 44 Ben Shelton, +45
(Career High)
One year ago, the 20-year-old was outside the Top 500 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and had never been outside of the United States.
Now the American is up to a career-high No. 44 after reaching the quarter-finals in Melbourne.
With his lefty serve and fierce forehand, Shelton earned two five-set wins, marking his first trip abroad in style. — atptour