Nadal takes the lead

Mar 11, 2014, 12:00:00 AM

Nadal takes the lead
Who took the top spot of the madcap WAT rankings this week? Nadal for his university degree, Djoko for the pictures he posted with his dogs or Wawrinka for his visit of the set of Desperate Housewives? Find the answer and more, in the tennis journal.

Second episode of the rankings by WeAreTennis, fusion of the ATP and WTA rankings, where results alone are not enough. These rankings also take into account the attitudes of the players off the courts, the improbable shots, the funnytweets, the off-the-wall interviews. Graduate from a Spanish university this week, Rafael Nadal seized, in spite of his early defeat at Indian Wells, the top spot at the expense of Novak Djokovic.

 

1 - Rafael Nadal (+1).

 

Before the BNP Paribas Open, the Spanish player has taken back his world leadership thanks to an university degree. Indeed, Rafa should be rewarded by the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). Soon, the lefty will receive an honorary doctorate "in recognition of athletic performance and values ​​he preserved during his career." It means everything and nothing, but it looks good on a resume.

 

2 - Novak Djokovic (-1).

 

It's March and the Serb has still not won any tournament this year. This is a first since 2006. To forget this small ignition delay, Novak took the opportunity to collect kisses from his dogs. Brigitte Bardot likes this, but it's not enough to keep the throne.

 

 

3 - Stanislas Wawrinka (+1). 

 

On a trip to U.S. for the BNP Paribas Open, the winner of the Australian Open went on the classic tourist route in Los Angeles. An excursion organized by the ATP. On the menu: Sunset Boulevard, a tour of Universal Studios and Wisteria Lane set where the series Desperate Housewives was shot and, eventually a few interviews to ESPN and CNN before a ice hockey game at the Staples Center. Busy bee.

 

 

4 - Serena Williams (-1). 

 

With Victoria Azarenka, Gael Monfils and RedFoo of the band LMFAO, Serena sang a song before a charity match. The vocal cords were hot. And it was filmed. However, time has come to head back to the courts, Serena.

 

 

5 - Roger Federer (+3). 

 

"I’m happy to see the hard work is paying off," admitted the Swiss after his victory in Dubai earlier in March. And as Roger is in great shape, he took the opportunity to take selfies with his friend Wawrinka in the middle of the press conference at the BNP Paribas Open. But that's not all, since on the courts, before the matches, Federer also did some rhythmic gymnastics. What seemed to be very entertaining for the cameramen.

 

 

 

6 - Agnieszka Radwanska (-1). 

 

The Polish player proudly celebrated her birthday with a cakes offered by the famous brand Cheesecake Factory. She loved it. But it’s not enough to keep her 5th place at the expense of Roger Federer.

 

 

7 - David Ferrer (-1). 

 

Injured, the Spanish player had to abandon the BNP Paribas Open. His left adductor is still painful. If he continues to surf with bad luck, he should quickly get out of the Top 8.

 

8 - Juan Martin Del Potro (-1).

 

Frail man. His sore wrist prevented the Argentine to get back on the tour this week and therefore to climb in the standings.

 

9 - Andy Murray (2).

 

Not in the form of his life, the Scots is keeping busy by doing other things than playing tennis. He played football with his compatriot Ross Hutchins and he’s pretty good at it.

 

 

10 - Tomas Berdych (-1).

 

Seeded No. 5 at the Californian Masters 1000, the Czech was the unpleasant surprise of the second round. Tomas has indeed lost against a Spanish clay-expert and World 53rd, Roberto Bautista.

 

11 - Richard Gasquet (-1).

 

Bring on the beginning the real clay court season to see the effect of the combination Sergi Bruguera and Richard Gasquet at work. Because at the moment, The French has mainly benefited from the abandonment of Gabashvili to reach the third round in Indian Wells and play football with Tsonga.

 

 

12 - Na Li (+1).

 

Winner of the Australian Open earlier this season, the Chinese player has started her BNP Paribas Open by defeating her compatriot Zheng Jie (6-1, 7-5).

 

13 - Milos Raonic (+2).

 

33 aces against Edouard Roger-Vasselin at the BNP Paribas Open. A machine.

 

14 - Grigor Dimitrov (+2).

 

The irresistible rise of Grigor Dimitrov continues. Winner in Acapulco, the Bulgarian is on top of his game and has never trembled to pass the first few rounds of the BNP Paribas Open.

 

15 - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (-3).

 

The French plans on being in the spotlights this season. For now, it seems unlikely. 1hour and 25 minutes, this is the time it took for his compatriot Julien Benneteau to defeat him. He then found consolation by tagging wooden planks for his equipment manufacturer.

 

 

16 - Tommy Haas (+1). 

 

The veteran of the tour continues his late career between class and results. At the BNP Paribas Open, he’s still in the game in the third round.

 

17 - Maria Sharapova (1).

 

We would like to see her more often racquet in hand... That said, we forgive Maria. Especially because she just inaugurated her wax figure at Madame Tussauds in Hong Kong. It's almost resembling.

 

 

18 - Victoria Azarenka (-5). 

 

Even if she sang a song for the sake of charity (cf. Serena), the former world number one is feeling down. Her tennis is not what it used to be. Arrived with only one week of preparation in Los Angeles, she took the door in the first round, beaten by Lauren Davis, World 66th in two sets (0/6 6/7 (2)). Blame it on a wooden dowel and a mind down in the dumps: "I wanted to play this tournament. I wanted to see how it is, because at some point you’ve got to test it. You know, thinking now, it might have been too early. But I wouldn’t know if I didn’t try. " Sad face. Vicka is in free fall.

 

19 - Dominika Cibulkova (+4).

 

Winner in Acapulco, the young lady still can't believe her current level. To such an extent that she said something very cute on Eurosport: "I never even dreamed of being in the top 100." The best progression of the week.

 

20 - John Isner (1).

 

An almost easy victory against Davydenko and the confession on Twitter that he’s watching the best series of the beginning of 2014, True Detective, allow the American to move up in the rankings.

 

21 - Fabio Fognini (-1).

 

We know that he's a grumpy man but the Italian has completely lost his composure at the BNP Paribas Open against the American Ryan Harrison. A funny moment for a point given following the use of hawk-eye simultaneously by the two players. At the end, Fognini won but loses a place for his lack of fair play.

 

 

22 - Mikhail Youzhny (-1). 

 

Missing. As Chuck Norris.

 

23 - Benoit Paire (-1).

 

The French loves social networks. This week: a lot of restaurants and a selfie on a Parisian bridge awaiting the results of his medical examinations. In short, nothing very interesting comparing to the fun time everyone seems to be having in L.A.

 

 

24 - Eugenie Bouchard (1).

 

After Acapulco, the young Canadian also went on a tourist tour in L.A. But this time not for her. Eugenie served as a guide for Wawrinka through the city of Angels. She met the Swiss at the Staples Center for the NHL match between the Los Angeles Kings and the Montreal Canadians. At 20 years old, the player has understood how the tennis world works outside of tennis tournaments.

 

 

25 - Caroline Wozniacki (NE). 

 

The Dane still has some power in her racquets. Proof with this picture of her training where she tried a "tweener". Too bad for her, the ball ended up in the net. Difficult to realize when you look at the picture, but she deserves to integrate our ranking for the beauty of the movement.

 

 

26 - Simona Halep (/). 

 

The Romanian has only one wish for the BNP Paribas Open: double Azarenka, eliminated in the first round, in the standings. She must be careful and keep an eye on Jankovic, Kvitova and Kerber.

 

27 - Radek Stepanek (NE). 

 

Radek Stepanek is not dead. Proof with this point all in the touch.

 

 

28 - Angelique Kerber (-2).

 

Such a premature elimination when you're seeded No. 5 in a Masters 1000, it's pretty bad...

 

29 - Petra Kvitova (-1). 

 

A very questionable dress sense, especially very strange hats. One down. London's style police is ruthless.

 

 

30 - Sabine Lisicki (/).

 

The German lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes at the BNP Paribas Open. The time to get smashed by the Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak, World 241st. Ouch.

 

Out this week:

 

Kevin Anderson and Jelena Jankovic

 

By Mathieu Faure

 

ps : are you upset yet ? As we are open-minded people, don’t hesitate to share your arguments in favour of your favourite player(s), pictures, videos, tweets or whatever you like to support them.