How Can Rafael Nadal Stop Novak Djokovic From Breaking Roger Federer’s World No.1 Record?

Novak Djokovic has been the World No.1 since February 3rd, 2020. Since then, Djokovic has surpassed the iconic mark of 300 weeks as World No.1.

Now Djokovic is now chasing Roger Federer’s record of 310 weeks as the World No.1. Now only Rafael Nadal has the chance to dethrone him.

So how can Nadal stop Djokovic from breaking Federer’s record?

As of 29th January 2021, Djokovic is in his 306th week as the World No.1. And now Rafael Nadal has a small chance of crossing Djokovic just before the Serbian’s stipulated date of breaking Federer‘s record on the 8th of March 2021.

Now Djokovic won’t be losing any points as the ATP rankings have been frozen because of the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, Djokovic won’t add any points as well because he already has maximum points at the ATP Cup and Australian Open.

So Djokovic currently stands at 12,030 ranking points. And Nadal is at 9850 points. Now Nadal needs at least 2180 points to become World No.1.

How can Rafael Nadal save Roger Federer’s record?

Nadal has three tournaments to conquer in order to become World No.1 before 8th March. And the major chunk of points will have to come from the Australian Open and the Rotterdam Open.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 30: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates after winning set point during his Men’s Singles Semifinal match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day eleven of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 30, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

So the straightforward way for Nadal to reach Djokovic’s point haul is earning the maximum points he can earn at the Aus Open 2021, that is, 1640. Then 500 points from Rotterdam Open, and at least 40 points more than what he got from the 2020 ATP Cup.