The WTA and ATP race have been merged to produce a single ranking. Men and women are mixed and results alone are not longer enough. Thus, a good picture, a punch line, a joke, a great shot or a piece of flesh can all win places. Or lose some. Tennis is global. And this week, Rafael Nadal managed to take the lead after losing a match against Djokovic. What? You think it’s weird?
1 - Rafael Nadal (+1).
When Rafael Nadal isn't showing off with a picture celebrating the Air Max Day organized by his main sponsor...
...The Spaniard takes the liberty to snub the University of the Balearic Islands. Remember, they wanted to give the left-handed player an honorary doctorate in recognition of his athletic performance. Except that the controversy over the degree was maybe a little too much for him and Nadal decided to refuse this distinction. No worries, he hasn't lost his tennis when you see how he tortured Fabio Fognini.
A very intense week. A week of world number 1, basically, while, oddly, Novak Djokovic has defeated him in the final of Miami (6/3, 6/3).
2- Novak Djokovic (-1).
Like every Serbs, Novak Djokovic didn't forget to celebrate the sad anniversary that affects Belgrade. It was 15 years ago that NATO started the air strikes on Belgrade in the middle of the civil war.
A symbolic tweet, which undoubtedly affected the player according to his match against Andy Murray in Miami. Indeed, during his success in the quarterfinals against the Briton, Djoko won a point at the net by letting his racquet cross the net. Except that it is forbidden. Except that the referee obviously didn't know it. Except that, therefore, the point was finally given to the Djoker.
In his press conference, Novak has yet attempted to justify himself: « Look, I'm going to be completely honest with you. I did pass the net with my racket, and I told Andy that. I told him that I did not touch the net. My bad. I thought that it's allowed, to cross the racquet on his side without touching the net. That's why I thought I won the point. I did not know that the rule is that I'm not allowed to cross the net. That's all I can say. » A laudable honesty and at the end of the day, a title in Miami, which, sadly, doesn't allow him to keep his first place in the WAT ranking. Cheating is bad.
3 - Serena Williams (+1).
The American won the Miami tournament for the seventh time in her career after beating China's Li Na 7-5, 6-1. At 32, she has already won 59 WTA titles. Respect. It was worth throwing a shoe in the public at the end of her match and a picture with a big smile, in stocking, with one of her coaches.
4 - Roger Federer (-1).
In sunny Florida, Roger continued his beautiful 2014 year. The proof with Nishikori losing his racquet while running to the net. It made it a little bit easier for Roger.
What will be less easy however is the upcoming FIFA World Cup for his country, Switzerland: «“Well, we’re happy first of all to be qualified for the World Cup. I think the group is doable. You know, I’m sure nobody is going to underestimate anybody in the group. But I feel like everybody can beat everybody, so it’s going to be a very interesting group to follow. I think we have a great coach who I know personally, and I know some of the players. Seems we have a good, young dynamic team that has got the key experienced player which you need for the World Cup, and I hope that mix is going to be successful for us.» Otherwise, Roger is still very much into Selfies. Well, this time, he didn't catch his best profile...
5 - Na Li (+2).
The Chinese isn’t the craziest player of the tour. With her, it's all about what's happening on the court. And on this side, the former world number one proved to be pretty solid. By reaching the final in Miami, where she was stopped in the quarterfinals last year, she consolidates her second place amongst women in this mixed classification. However, in real life (i.e. the real WTA rankings), she’s already 5,000 points behind Serena.
6 - Stanislas Wawrinka (/).
It seems to be a real challenge for the Swiss to get back into shape since the Australian Open. Especially in Miami where the thermometer showed high temperatures with a huge level of humidity. In short, it's hot under the towel.
7 - Agnieszka Radwanska (-2).
The Polish was knocked out by Cibulkova in Miami. A match in which she nevertheless managed an exceptional shot. Beautiful, but not enough to win the point. And therefore not to fall in the WAT ranking. Nice try.
8 - Andy Murray (+1).
Sportingly, the Scot is still lagging behind, but he starts to think about his future. And it looks like he could very well see himself as football pundit. Indeed, he talks about football very well: «Yeah, the players obviously talk about it a lot; a lot of the players love football. I’m sure as it gets a bit closer we will discuss it a little bit more. About 18 months ago I told Juan Monaco that Belgium were my outsiders for the tournament, and he laughed at me. Yeah, they are doing pretty well now. They’ve got a good group. » He definitely deserved to go up in the rankings. Even though this week, there also was this very embarrassing moment... Murray won the Kids' Choice Award for UK History Maker. A trophy awarded by the channel Nickelodeon UK. However, little did Murray know that he was also about to join the legions of famous faces who have been covered in a sticky goo. The Scot did seem to take his gunging well, posing with a thumbs up after being doused in the green gunge. "I feel incredibly privileged to receive Nickelodeon's UK History Maker Kids' Choice Award at this year's KCAs. Getting slimed is definitely the most outrageous award acceptance I've ever done - it was pretty good fun. »
9 - David Ferrer (-1).
Bad start of the year for the Spaniard, who loses a place once again, after being defeated by the Japanese Kei Nishikori in the last 16 of Miami's Masters 1000. Ferrer still fell with dignity - 7-6 (9/7), 2-6, 7-6 (9/11) - but he fell nonetheless.
10 - Grigor Dimitrov (+2).
No miracle in Miami for the Bulgarian (he was defeated quickly by Nishikori) but a nice gesture. He helped a ball girl who was feeling ill on the side of the court. Maria Sharapova isn't going to like it.
11 - Richard Gasquet (/).
No, Richard is not dead. Even if he lost against Roger Federer in Florida (6-1, 6-2), the French brought back into fashion a formerly great sport brand: Le Coq Sportif. The former sponsor of Yannick Noah returns to tennis with the young French player as headliner. Some still believe in Gasquet, then. Richard takes this opportunity not to lose a place.
12 - Tomas Berdych (-2).
The Czech player is a child and takes Comics kind of selfies. Why not, but he still loses two places to Gasquet and Dimitrov.
13 - Milos Raonic (/).
Nothing to report about the Canadian, apart from a defeat against Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals in Miami. That said, he fought for three sets. Strong.
14 - Sabine Lisicki (NE).
What a great entry for Sabine. She especially benefits from the Martina Hingis effect since the two women, who work together, have beautifully managed their tournament with a victory in Miami... in women's doubles. Between the German and the 33 years old Swiss, something is happening. It’s a great comeback for the former world number one and winner of six Grand Slam tournaments.
15 - Maria Sharapova (/).
Maria is still stagnating. However, she has found a new dress for the clay court season (yellow...)
...She worked out in the cardio room...
...And she went for a ride in town.
About the yellow colour, the Russian has even given an explanation: « Yeah, I usually bring a lot of clothes of different colours for this tournament. I like to wear neutral outfits, but I also like to add colour. Yellow was simply the best option.» Simply the best.
16 - Dominika Cibulkova (+1).
A picture, bare shoulder, waking up, and here's Cibulkova taking a place during this great tournament of Miami. Next week, she takes the top off.
17- Alizé Cornet (+6).
The French is on holiday but she enjoyed a moment of culture with the concert of Stromae in Nice. Obviously, she seemed to be very excited to go see the Belgian singer. A woman who feels good, it has to be rewarded. 6 more places. Yes, six.
18 - John Isner (/).
The American pleased a young NCAA tennis team by posing with them on a selfie. Well, the guy is taller than everybody else, and easily. Big boy.
19 - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (-2).
No break against Murray during his defeat in Miami, the French player is in distress.
20 - Victoria Azarenka (/).
We are still waiting for the return of Vika on the tour. Meanwhile, she might be able to watch her man, the singer RedFoo, on television. The hairy LMFAO singer is indeed tipped to become a judge for the famous reality show X-Factor in Australia.
21 - Eugénie Bouchard (/).
Failing to win tournaments, the young Canadian continues to post XXL pictures. After Miley Cyrus' butt last week, she shared with her fans a picture of her when she was little, with women's tennis legend Billie Jean King.
22 - Petra Kvitova (NE).
New entry for Petra since she's showing off with her BMW. An eastern European blonde, with a big car. A bit of a cliché but we support such good initiatives.
23 - Fabio Fognini (NE).
Just like Eugenie Bouchard, the Italian always has his camera on hand. Proof with this little duo all smiles with Alessandro Nesta, former Italian football star and winner of the 2006 World Cup.
24 - Ana Ivanovic (/).
No changes for the Serb despite very sexy red shoes and a small helicopter ride in Mexico.
25 - Ryan Sweeting (NE).
+ 240 places for him. It’s the big progression of the week. Even though he completely missed the Future tournament in Calabasas, California, the player has found his match in the person of actress Kaley Cuoco, known for her role as Penny in The Big Bang theory. Pink everywhere and kisses. Lucky.
Out:
Jelena Jankovic, Juan Martin Del Potro, Tommy Robredo and Tommy Haas
