Rafael Nadal Drops out of ATP Top 5 for 1st Time in 10 Years After Madrid Loss

May 2005 was the last time Rafael Nadal was not in the top five of the ATP rankings. That is no longer the case after the 14-time Grand Slam winner lost to Andy Murray in the finals of the Madrid Masters on Sunday, per the Associated Press.

Nadal is seventh in the latest rankings, which is exactly where he was the last time he was looking up at the top five.

Novak Djokovic is the world’s No. 1 player for the 41st week in a row. Roger Federer checks in at No. 2. Andy Murray is No. 3. Milos Raonic is No. 4. Tomas Berdych is No. 5.

Nadal’s failure to defend his title at the Madrid Masters is another example of his uncharacteristic struggles on clay this season. Nadal already has four losses on his favorite surface (the first time he lost four times on clay in one season since 2003), which does not bode well for his chances at an unprecedented 10th French Open title this summer.   

British Tennis pointed out just how rare Nadal’s clay struggles are in 2015:

To be fair, Nadal suffered a wrist injury and underwent an appendectomy last season and is still bouncing back into form.

Nadal discussed his status, per the Associated Press: "Whatever will happen, will be. It's something that we have to realize, all of us, that what's happening during these last years, it's very complicated to be 10 or 11 years without leaving the top four." 

If that sounds like Nadal is lacking confidence, consider Sports Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim’s take:

Wertheim points out that there is reason to be optimistic if Nadal’s decline is truly about the mental side of things instead of the physical side. That means one tournament title could be enough to turn things around, especially if it inspires more self-belief moving forward.

The problem with the drop in rankings is he will likely be forced to play the best players in the world in earlier rounds at the French Open and other major tournaments. That means Djokovic, Federer and Murray could be threats before the semifinals, and earlier losses are not exactly the formula to climb back into the top five.

Ultimately, Nadal is one French Open championship away from restoring confidence in his game (and rankings). It remains to be seen whether he can tap into his clay-court powers once again.