The yellow jersey for Novak

While Roger Federer was nowhere to be seen this week, the Serb has won yet another title in Beijing, the 46th of his career. In his wake, Nishikori continues his harvest and Lisicki dressed as a rabbit for Oktoberfest.

 

1/ Novak Djokovic (+7).

 

The Serb is taking advantage of Roger Federer's enforced rest to top the leaderboards. But he also owes it to himself and his brilliant Beijing tournament that he won after defeating Berdych in final (6-0, 6-2). It must be said that the Djoker was well prepared physically. It all started from the street.

 

 

Djokovic hasn't only won against his opponents. He also won against water. During the tournament, some courts were indeed completely soaked. To dry them, the organizers had quite the technique. An idea that made Djokovic laugh in front of his TV.

 

 

2/ Kei Nishikori (+2).

 

The Japanese keeps impressing us at the moment. After his final at the US Open, Kei played at home for the Tokyo tournament. A tournament he won after defeating Milos Raonic (7-6 [5], 4-6, 6-4). A whole country was watching the whizkid, especially in press conference.

 

 

But the journalists were not the only ones wanting to touch the local boy. Fans, spectators and photographers, everybody wanted to see Nishikori.

 

 

3/ Maria Sharapova (+5).

 

We thought that by multiplying marketing operations the Russian had forgotten how to play tennis. But it’s obvious that she didn't after winning the title in Beijing against Kvitova in final (6-4, 2-6, 6-3). Her 33th career title. But her Asian fans had done everything they possibly could to motivate her. As in the manga.

 

 

Well, there’s definitely something.

 

4/ Petra Kvitova (-1).

 

Another final for the Czech, the second in two weeks, and a footwork that is still very sophisticated after the match.

 

 

A relaxing evening, which allowed the player to add a little fun in a week that ended with a defeat to Maria Sharapova in the final of the China Open.

 

5/ Rafael Nadal (/).

 

For his official return to competition, the Spaniard was stopped in the quarterfinals in Beijing. But the point is elsewhere since the lefty is already preparing his life after tennis. He took advantage of being in China to sign for the Beijing Guoan, the local football team.

 

 

Handy lefty.

 

6/ Tomas Berdych (+8).

 

It's official, the Czech is finishing the season with a bang with another final at the China Open, even if he didn't see the light against Djokovic, taking only two small games to the Serb. What is his secret? His fans, quite simply, and they didn't hesitate to show it on their T-shirts.

 

 

7/ Milos Raonic (NE).

 

Unlucky finalist against Nishikori in Tokyo, the Canadian had yet given everything in the tournament, even trying instinctive moves like this volley against Gilles Simon.

 

 

Well, the point was lost at the end, but what a treat for the eyes.

 

8/ Aleksandr Dolgopolov (NE).

 

This week, the Ukrainian decided to train quietly to keep in shape. Except that the boy realized that he actually took two left shoes in his bag.

 

 

An unforgivable forgetfulness.

 

9/ Sabine Lisicki (NE).

 

The German remained faithful to her Bavarian traditions, including the Oktoberfest the first weekend of October. And when Sabine Lisicki decides to dress up, she doesn't do things by half.

 

 

We really love the little bunny ears.

 

10/ Eugenie Bouchard (/).

 

"I was wondering why the crew was laughing at me," said Eugenie Bouchard on Twitter after getting off a long haul flight. The answer is simple: she was wearing a Hello Kitty sleep mask.

 

 

Even when she sleeps, the Canadian is a joker.

 

11/ Ivo Karlovic (NE).

 

When the Croat doesn't hit aces in matches, he tries his hand at humour. And as with his racquet, it goes fast and strong. Thus, during a flight, the player ended up face to face with Yoda from Star Wars.

 

 

Well, it's not exactly the Jedi Master but there's a strong resemblance. May the force be with him.

 

12/ Caroline Wozniacki (/).

 

At the end of the year, the Dane will face a huge challenge: to run the New York Marathon. And since you cannot arrive unprepared on 42 kilometres, the player is training as much as she can. Including in Monaco, where she lives and ran around half the Principality.

 

 

13/ Roger Federer (-13).

 

The Swiss giant didn't play any tournament this week. He preferred to train. And to go to the clubhouse, nothing better than the rear deck of the car to take a nap. Because at the end of the day, tennis is very tiring.

 

 

Besides this, the Swiss kept a low profile on the social networks. One little tweet with a picture of Shanghai at night.

 

 

Nothing very original, and this why Roger loses 13 places.

 

14/ Elina Svitolina (NE).

 

A magic trick, the Elina Svitolina's way. Or the brand new way to serve and destabilize an opponent during a match. Anyway, it's funny and it takes some coordination.

 

 

Does it work? That's another problem.

 

15/ Dominika Cibulkova (NE).

 

The young lady is slowly recovering from her recent injuries but isn't forgetting the modern world. Thus, she’s preparing her comeback with very specific tools. Such as a Justin Bieber mask.

 

 

It will please the ladies.

 

Out:

 

Alizé Cornet, Victoria Azarenka, Ana Ivanovic, Serena Williams, Andy Murray, Stanislas Wawrinka.

 

By Mathieu Faure