Men's Tennis Power Rankings: Roger Federer Is Numero Uno

Wimbledon is over—the U.S. hard-court season draws near.  Bleacher Power rankings reveal the new world order...

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The Top 10

1. Roger Federer—ATP Ranking: No. 1

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [Winner] 2000 pts, Roland Garros [Winner] 2000 pts, Madrid [Winner] 1000 pts, and Rome [Semifinalist] 360 pts. Total pts. 5360.

Back where he belongs—according to the Fed Express contingency.  Federer is hot and getting hotter as he rolls into the U.S. hard-court season.  This is the perfect time to redeem himself after last summer’s devastating disappointments.  He will need to do that to secure his recaptured crown.  But, there is the birth of his first child in August and that may prove to be a distraction.  Lots of potential competition hot on his heels...

2. Rafael Nadal—ATP Ranking: No. 2

Last Four Tournaments Played: Roland Garros [R16] 180 pts, Madrid [Runner-Up] 600 pts, Rome [Winner] 1000 pts, and Barcelona [Winner] 500 pts. Total pts. 2380.

Being unable to defend his Wimbledon championship cost the mighty Nadal his ATP No. 1 ranking.  He holds onto our No. 2 power ranking but the pack is on his heels and closing fast.  As the clay court season fades, Nadal will have to sparkle on the hard courts and repeat his win at the 2008 Rogers Cup.  His knees must stand up to the rigors of the hard courts in order for Nadal to stay close to the Swiss leader of the pack.   

3. Andy Roddick—ATP Ranking: No. 6

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [Finalist] 1200 pts, Queens [Semifinalist] 90 pts., Roland Garros [R16] 180 pts, Madrid [Quarterfinalist] 180 pts. Total pts. 1650.

After a brilliant and mesmerizing Wimbledon final, Andy Roddick takes over the No. 3 spot in our power rankings.  Roddick defeated a resurgent Lleyton Hewitt and the new star apparent Andy Murray on his way to the final where he met and was defeated by his old nemesis—Roger Federer.  His tennis future looks bright once again as Roddick heads into the U.S. hard court season. 

4. Robin Soderling—ATP Ranking: No. 12

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [R16] 180 pts, Roland Garros [Runner-Up] 1,200 pts, Madrid [R32] 45 pts, Rome [R16] 90 pts. Total pts 1515.

Too bad for Soderling that he ran into Roger Federer so early at 2009 Wimbledon because the quality of his play suggested he might have advanced further.  Nonetheless, the Swede is proving himself in 2009.  After his stunning upset of Nadal and his record run at the French—Soderling should be hitting his stride perfectly for the hard court season ahead. 

5. Andy Murray—ATP Ranking: No. 3

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [Semifinalist] 720 pts, Queens [Winner] 250 pts, Roland Garros [Quarterfinalist] 360 pts, Madrid [Quarterfinalist] 180 pts. Total pts. 1510.

For the British press, there seemed only the promise of a victory by the wily Scot.  But Andy Murray did not survive Andy Roddick on his way to the Wimbledon final.  The slimmer version of American Roddick sent Murray packing and the British press into mourning.  To be fair, however, the Murray game seemed to spring to life on the green lawns after languishing on the red clay.  Hard courts promise even more life affirming action.  Watch for Murray’s winning ways to resurface.

6. Juan Martin del Potro—ATP Ranking: No. 5

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [R64] 45 pts, Roland Garros [Semifinalist] 720 pts, Madrid [Semifinalist] 360 pts, Rome [Quarterfinalist] 180 pts. Total pts 1405.

The adjustment to grass was not so great for the tall Argentine.  Nor did it help that he ran into an inspired and rejuvenated Lleyton Hewitt in the second round at Wimbledon. Let us hope his transition to hard courts will bring him the number of victories it did last summer.  

7. Fernando Gonzalez—ATP Ranking: No. 10

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [R32] 90 pts, Roland Garros [Semifinalist] 720 pts., Rome [Semifinalist] 360 pts, Barcelona [Semifinalist] 180 pts. Total pts 1350.

So who turned the Juan Carlos Ferrero burner on high?  He fairly blazed through his matches until he met Murray in the quarters.  Unfortunately for Gonzalez he met the red hot Ferrero in the third round.  Gonzo can make up some ground on the hard courts where he traditionally plays well.  Believe me, he can turn the world on with his smile...

8. Tommy Haas—ATP Ranking: No. 19

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [Semifinalist] 720 pts, Halle [Winner] 250 pts, Roland Garros [R16] 180 pts., Madrid [R32] 70 pts. Total pts. 1220.

After his 2009 French Open run, many may have speculated that the 31-year old Haas would simply run out of gas.  That is far from the case.  He made it all the way to the semifinals at Wimbledon where he ran into an even greater and more inspired Federer.  Haas is playing some of the best tennis of his career.  The hard court season looms on the horizon so let us see if Haas can continue his blistering pace.  Age, after all, is a state of mind—is it not? 

9. Novak Djokovic—ATP Ranking: No. 4

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [Quarterfinalist] 360 pts, Halle [Runner-Up] 150 pts, Roland Garros [R32] 90 pts, Madrid [Semifinalist] 360 pts. Total pts. 960.

Where is the man in the blue suede shoes?  Or rather where has Djokovic’s game gone?  His mind floats free and periodically focuses on the match he is playing.  But his dream-like stance in crucial matches causes him to lose.  Djokovic is quickly sinking beneath the radar.  Will those blue shoes once again dance in meaningful locomotion on the hard courts? 

10. Nikolay Davydenko—ATP Ranking: No. 11

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [R32] 90 pts., Roland Garros [Quarterfinalist] 360 pts, Madrid [R16] 90 pts, Estoril [Semifinalist] 90 pts. Total pts 630. 

Grass court season is endured in the Davydenko camp.  There is no hope for victory just decent results.  With mediocrity behind him, Davydenko needs to revive and get some wins on the hard courts.  He has fallen out of the ATP top 10 after an extended injury.  He needs to fight his way back into the upper echelons of the game.

Outside Looking In

1. Juan Carlos Ferrero—ATP Ranking: No. 37

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [Quarterfinalist] 360 pts, Queen’s Club [Semifinalist] 90 pts, Roland Garros [R64] 45 pts, Madrid [R64] 25 pts. Total pts. 520.

One of the interesting facets of spring and summer of 2009 has been the resurgence of veterans.  These include Tommy Haas, Lleyton Hewitt and now Juan Carlos Ferrero whose run through Wimbledon was truly inspiring.  The question remains for the former world’s No. 1—can the run continue on to the hard courts?

2. Lleyton Hewitt—ATP Ranking: No. 44

Last Four Tournaments Played: Wimbledon [Quarterfinalist] 360 pts, Queen’s Club [R16] 20 pts, Roland Garros [R32] 90 pts, Munich [Quarterfinalist] 45 pts. Total 515 pts.

Lleyton Hewitt fell to Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in five tough sets.  This was after Hewitt had fought his way back from the exit door against Radek Stepanek in the previous round—again in five sets.  As one of those war-tested veterans on the upswing—we recognize that Hewitt is not done yet!