Paris — Novak Djokovic officially returned to world No 1 on Monday for the first time for two years, replacing Rafael Nadal.
The Serb lost in the final of the Paris Masters to Karen Khachanov on Sunday, but regained No 1 spot for the first time since October 31, 2016.
Djokovic’s elevation comes just five months after he slumped to 22nd in the world – his lowest ranking for 12 years – when he was knocked out of the French Open in the quarter-finals.
Khachanov’s reward for his surprise victory was a seven-place rise to 11th position.
Top 20 in the latest ATP Tour rankings
1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8 045
2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7 480
3. Roger Federer (SUI) 6 020
4. Juan Martín Del Potro (ARG) 5 300
5. Alexander Zverev (GER) 5 085
6. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4 310
7. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4 050
8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3 895
9. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 3 390
10. John Isner (USA) 3 155
11. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2 835
12. Borna Coric (CRO) 2 480
13. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2 315
14. Kyle Edmund (GBR) 2 150
15. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 2 095
16. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 1 977
17. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 1 880
18. Milos Raonic (CAN) 1 855
19. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 1 835
20. Marco Cecchinato (ITA) 1 819. — AFP.
