This is what Rafael Nadal needs to do in Rogers Cup to become World Number 1 again

The US Open Hard Court series is upon us but the contenders are are already falling apart like nine pins. Novak Djokovic has already been sidelined for the entire season and Marin Cilic and Stan Wawrinka pulled out a few days back.

With so many big names missing out, it would have been a perfect opportunity for Andy Murray to resurrect his 2017 season, but on Thursday, he too announced his withdrawal from the tournament.

Murray is still recovering from his hip injury and does not want rush things, as he wants to fully fit for his US Open campaign.

Murray has won the Rogers Cup thrice(in 2009, 2010 and 2015).

Murray’s absence would mean that Rafa Nadal will have the opportunity of re-claiming the World Number 1 ranking, three years after he had last held that position.

Nadal(7456)currently trails Murray(7750) by 294 ranking points and needs to make it to the semi-finals in Montreal to get back to the World Number 1 spot.

Nadal and Federer will be the top 2 seeds in Montreal. Domnic Thiem and Alexander Zverev will complete the top 4.

The Rogers Cup begins on Monday and will be the first big tournament after Wimbledon. Both Nadal and Federer would be hoping for strong showings, and their fans would be hoping for them to make it to the finals, and take on each other for the 3rd time this year.

About the author

Utkarsh Bhatla