Posted
8-19-08
Nadal officially takes over No. 1 ranking
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Sports Network) - Rafael Nadal officially took over the No. 1 position in the ATP Rankings Monday, replacing Swiss Roger Federer who held the top spot for a record 237 consecutive weeks.
Nadal, who was ranked No. 2 behind Federer for a record 160 consecutive weeks, guaranteed himself the World No. 1 ranking after reaching the semifinals earlier this month at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati.
The last player to rank No. 1 before Federer's reign was American Andy Roddick, the week of January 26, 2004.
"Nowhere in my best dreams I can imagine something like what I did this year," Nadal said after winning Olympic gold in Beijing Sunday. "I am playing an unbelievable season, no doubt. I have to be very happy for everything. The feeling for sure is very happy for being No. 1, but the feeling doesn't change too much because the last years I did very well too."
The Spanish star is just the 24th player in the history of the ATP Rankings to hold the No. 1 position. Nadal is also the third Spaniard to hold down the top spot, joining countryman Carlos Moya (1999) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003).
"Rafa played great to get it," said Federer. "That's what I expected and hoped for, many years ago when I got to No. 1, that if ever somebody were to take it away for me, he would have to play an incredible tennis schedule, win the biggest tournaments, dominate the game basically, and then like this he can take No. 1. So I think Rafa totally deserves it."
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