Thus far in 2024, the younger weapons have dominated the ATP Tour forward the clay season. Three large titles have been claimed, divided amongst two of the tour’s finest younger stars.
However that was all on exhausting courts. The subsequent few months will likely be all about clay, which has the potential to shake up the tour.
This week, the NBO Energy Rankings panel dives into how the world’s finest stand on the filth.
(Brackets point out change in place for the reason that final version of the Energy Rankings from earlier than Indian Wells.)
1. Carlos Alcaraz (+4)
Precise Rating: 3
2024 Document: 15-4
Notable Latest Outcomes: Indian Wells Champion
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Madrid Champion (2022, 2023), Roland-Garros SF (2023)
Carlitos is again! After an prolonged stoop and not using a title following his Wimbledon crown final summer season, the Spanish phenom righted the ship at Indian Wells, successful his thirteenth profession ATP title and fifth Masters 1000 crown.
Although he would falter within the quarter-finals of the Miami Open to a red-hot Grigor Dimitrov, the change has undoubtedly flipped. Alcaraz can use his full toolbox of photographs, heavy spin and energy, and dynamic, electrical motion to dominate the clay, a floor the place he already boasts an elite 80.5% successful proportion.
– Ben
2. Jannik Sinner (-1)
Precise Rating: 2
2024 Document: 22-1
Notable Latest Outcomes: Miami Champion
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Rome QF (2022), Roland-Garros QF (2020)
Jannik Sinner is having a second.
With three new crowns in his trophy case for the reason that begin of 12 months and a glowing 22-1 report, he’s using excessive into the clay season. The newly minted World No.2 might benefit from the change of courts to stake his declare on the very high of the ATP hierarchy, however first he’ll should get previous Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, who’ll be vying for the titles of king of clay and the ATP.
What ought to we count on from Jannik over the following few weeks? He’s received solely 585 factors to defend, so something’s potential.
– Sarah-Jade
3. Novak Djokovic (-1)
Precise Rating: 1
2024 Document: 8-3
Notable Latest Outcomes: Indian Wells R3
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Monte-Carlo (2x), Madrid (3x), Rome (6x) and Roland-Garros (3x) Champion
It’s probably the most susceptible Novak Djokovic has regarded in years. The world no. 1 is but to win a title in 2024, misplaced in his second match at Indian Wells to little-known Italian Luca Nardi, pulled out of Miami, after which let go of his long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic.
Nonetheless, he’s proven an immense skill to bounce again after powerful defeats.
Final season, he struggled heading into Roland-Garros earlier than turning as much as his win his third profession French Open. He stays one of many fittest, most elite athletes on this planet and already arrived at Monte Carlo early for clay preparations.
– Ben
4. Alexander Zverev (NEW)
Precise Rating: 5
2024 Document: 18-6
Notable Latest Outcomes: Miami SF
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Madrid (2018, 2021) and Rome (2017) Champion, Roland-Garros SF (2021-2023)
Zverev had a stable run through the Sunshine Double, reaching the Indian Wells quarter-finals and Miami semifinals. Having executed nicely on the hard-court 1000s, expectations will likely be excessive for him because the tour shifts to clay.
Learn additionally: Clay-Court docket Transition Additional Outstanding on 2024 Calendar
The German has three 1000 titles on the filth to his identify, two in Madrid and one in Rome, and has reached three straight Roland-Garros semifinals. The final time he was totally wholesome through the clay season in 2022, he reached the semis or higher at each large occasion on the floor.
– Pete
5. Daniil Medvedev (-2)
Precise Rating: 4
2024 Document: 18-4
Notable Latest Outcomes: Indian Wells Runner-Up
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Rome Champion (2023), Roland-Garros QF (2021)
A card-carrying member of the High 10 since 2019, Daniil Medvedev has confirmed time and time once more that he’s a contender at each match he enters.
He’s been fairly open about how he feels about clay and nonetheless managed to win the 2023 Rome Masters with out dropping a set. A finalist in Indian Wells, Mr. Octopus will likely be reaching for each ball and forcing his opponents to make errors.
– Abraham
6. Casper Ruud (+1)
Precise Rating: 8
2024 Document: 18-5
Notable Latest Outcomes: Indian Wells QF
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Monte-Carlo (2021), Madrid (2021), and Rome (3x) SF, Roland-Garros Runner-Up (2022, 2023)
Will 2024 be Casper Ruud’s 12 months?
He received his season off to a stable begin and will likely be bringing excessive expectations to the clay courts. On his absolute favorite floor, he holds 9 singles titles, two RG finals (2023 and 2022) and a 217-102 report.
Learn additionally: Who Can Problem Iga Swiatek on Clay?
Might he go three for 3 at French Open finals and perhaps even convey the Coupe des Mousquetaires dwelling to Norway?
– Sarah-Jade
7. Holger Rune (+2)
Precise Rating: 7
2024 Document: 13-7
Notable Latest Outcomes: Indian Wells QF
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Monte-Carlo and Rome Runner-Up (2023), Roland-Garros QF (2023)
If there’s anybody trying poised to take a step ahead from the 2023 clay-court season, it’s 20-year-old Holger Rune. The younger expertise has shortly emerged as a High 10 participant within the ATP rankings and has proven unimaginable prowess on clay previously. Rune made three clay-court finals in 2023 together with a title in Munich, and finalist outcomes at each the Monte-Carlo and Rome Masters 1000 occasions.
Learn additionally: 5 Canadians Kicking Off 2024 Clay Season
He ended his early season exhausting courtroom swing with a whimper, being defeated by Fabian Marozsan 6-1, 6-1 in Miami which ought to give him loads of motivation to get again on observe on the purple clay in Europe.
– Mike
8. Grigor Dimitrov (NEW)
Precise Rating: 9
2024 Document: 20-5
Notable Latest Outcomes: Miami Runner-Up
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Monte-Carlo (2018, 2022) and Rome (2014) SF, Roland-Garros R4 (2020, 2023)
Grigor Dimitrov turned again the clocks in Miami, reaching his third Masters 1000 remaining in dramatic trend by taking down three of the High 10 seeds, Hubert Hurkacz, high seed Alcaraz, and Zverev, on his option to a finals conflict with Sinner.
It’s been a stable run of late for the resurgent former world No. 3. He has now reached three finals in 2024 and two of the final three Masters 1000 finals courting again to Paris final November. He has executed nicely on the clay 1000s previously, having reached the Monte-Carlo and Rome Semis and the Madrid quarters.
– Pete
9. Andrey Rublev (-3)
Precise Rating: 6
2024 Document: 15-6
Notable Latest Outcomes: Indian Wells R3
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Monte-Carlo Champion (2023), Roland-Garros QF (2020, 2022)
Andrey Rublev is unquestionably trying ahead to the clay courtroom season. The reigning champion in Monte Carlo will likely be targeted on defending his title after a disappointing Sunshine Double.
Learn additionally: WTA Pre-Clay Energy Rankings
The World No. 6 might put on his coronary heart on his sleeve, however he stays a harmful opponent with an arsenal of weapons. To achieve his objectives, he’ll should struggle his rivals and his demons.
– Abraham
10. Stefanos Tsitsipas (NEW)
Precise Rating: 12
2024 Document: 11-6
Notable Latest Outcomes: Indian Wells R4
Finest Massive Clay Outcomes: Monte-Carlo Champion (2021, 2022), Roland-Garros Runner-Up (2021)
Flying considerably beneath the radar to this point in 2024 is Stefanos Tsitsipas, though the world No. 12 ought to very a lot be included when speaking concerning the high clay-court gamers on this planet. He’s a former French Open finalist, has gained the title in Monte-Carlo twice, and has reached the finals of Barcelona, Madrid and Rome.
Learn additionally: Shapovalov – 2024 Version
His report on the large clay courtroom Masters 1000 occasions and the French Open is a formidable 60-21. In 2023 he was bested by Carlos Alcaraz within the finals of Barcelona in addition to the quarter-finals in Paris, however will likely be seeking to get again to his typical consolation degree on the floor this Spring.
– Mike
The Nationwide Financial institution Open Energy Rankings are a bunch collaboration by the Energy Rankings Panel which incorporates:
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