Rafael Nadal (Photo : Getty Images)
Rafael Nadal, after his triumphant campaign in Monte Carlo, shot up to no.4 in the latest ATP Race to London ranking, becoming the biggest mover this week. Roger Federer, who also made his return after two months of absence due to injury, also moved up but still outside the top-8.
The 29-year old Nadal jumped 10 places to move into no.4 with total accumulated points of 1,800 in seven tournaments. He's now just behind Andy Murray (no.3), Milos Raonic (no.2) and the top-ranker Novak Djokovic, who already gained 4,350 points after six tournaments. The Bull of Manacor is still ranked no.5 in the world, but already trimmed Stan Wawrinka lead to 465 points.
After several months of drought, Nadal finally captured his 28th ATP Masters 1000 title after beating Frenchman Gael Monfils in three-sets 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 on Sunday. But before his emotional finals victory, the Spaniard went through the eye of the needle as he overcame challenges from rising star Dominic Thiem, Wawrinka and Andy Murray.
ESPN tennis analyst Peter Bodo surmised Nadal was toughened by his victories against those stars, giving him more confidence in his shot-making ability and regaining his mental toughness that allowed him to win big points in pressure-packed situations.
"Nadal, though, was hardened by tough wins over quality players. Among them: No. 2 Andy Murray and No. 4 Stan Wawrinka. As confidence-boosting as those wins must have been, the jet fuel that propelled him to the final was probably provided way back in Round 3 by Dominic Thiem. Nadal escaped 15 of 16 break points in the first set of that match. Perhaps he finally found the lost composure and mental toughness that has haunted this long slump," Bodo said of Nadal's run.
This week, Nadal sets his sight on his 9th Barcelona Open championship. Again, he will be facing quality foes there, starting with a potential quarterfinal clash with Italian Fabio Fognini and of course, a showdown with Japan's no.1 Kei Nishikori in the finals.
Roger Federer, meanwhile, moved 2 places up after reaching the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters, though he has lots of catching up to do in order to get one of the eight available spot in ATP World Finals at the end of the season. He has 1,050 points, good for no.11 in the ATP Race to London rankings.
