Rafael Nadal ending a stay in the top 10 that began in April 2005.

On Monday (March 20), Carlos Alcaraz replaced Novak Djokovic at the top of the ATP rankings. Rafael Nadal fell out of the top 10 for the first time in 18 years. A day after ending Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match winning streak by defeating him in straight sets in the final at Indian Wells, California, Alcaraz climbed one spot, switching places with Djokovic. The 19-year-old Spanish player Alcaraz, who first rose to the top spot by winning the US Open in September. He didn’t drop a set during the hard-court competition.

More weeks than any other man or woman in tennis history, Djokovic has held the No. 1 spot.

Since he is a foreign national who has not had the COVID-19 vaccination, he was unable to compete in Indian Wells. Also, he will miss this week’s Miami Open, where Alcaraz is the reigning champion.

Nadal’s hip flexor injury has kept him out of action since January, and on Monday he dropped four spots to No. 13. Ending a run in the top 10 that started in April 2005. That is the ATP’s longest such stretch, with Jimmy Connors coming in second with a record of almost 15 years.

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As of right now, Djokovic and Nadal are tied for the male record of 22 Grand Slam singles victories. Elena Rybakina moved up three spots to a career-high No. 7 in the WTA rankings after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to win the Indian Wells trophy. Iga Swiatek, who overcame Rybakina in the Australian Open final in January, is still ranked first, followed by Sabalenka.

Rafael Nadal hopes to return from a hip injury at the clay-court Monte Carlo Masters next month

The 22-time Grand Slam champion withdrew from hard-court events in Miami and Indian Wells due to a left hip flexor injury sustained at the Australian Open.

Beginning on April 8, the Monte Carlo Masters will feature Nadal, according to event director David Massey. Rafael was the first (player) registered, according to Massey’s account. He is using every opportunity to compete in the tournament he loves and genuinely wants to play at the Monte Carlo Masters.