IT’S TRUE: Nadal’s fans hold a sign as the Spaniard leaves the court after his opponent Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic retired from their men’s singles semi-final match. — Reuters photo
BEIJING: Rafael Nadal will return to number one in the world rankings after his semi-final opponent Tomas Berdych retired injured at the China Open yesterday, capping an astonishing comeback for the 13-time Grand Slam champion.
The Spanish world number two only needed to make the final in Beijing to edge ahead of Novak Djokovic in the new rankings, which will be announced by the ATP tomorrow.
Nadal, who last topped the rankings in July 2011, has enjoyed a remarkable season, returning from injury to dominate the hardcourt tournaments.
Nadal will overtake defending China Open champion Djokovic at the top of the rankings even if the Serb overcomes France’s Richard Gasquet in his semi-final later Saturday and retains the title on Sunday.
Djokovic is currently on his 101st week as the top ranked player.
Czech Berdych pulled out of his semi-final after receiving treatment for an injury with Nadal leading 4-2 in the first set.
Nadal had broke Berdych’s serve in the fifth game after the pair appeared to be matching each other competitively in the early stages.
The world number five told reporters after the match that he suffered a back injury when he reached for a shot. He then praised Nadal’s achievement on reclaiming the top spot.
“With Rafa, well, just all the credit. It is really incredibly well done in the whole short time that he has become a number one again,” he said.
“That’s really an achievement for an athlete like him.”
Nadal, sidelined for the second half of last year with a knee injury, has finished the season as number one twice before, in 2008 and 2010, and is unbeaten since he crashed out of Wimbledon in the first round in June.
The 27-year-old, tipped to eclipse Roger Federer’s record of 17Grand Slam titles, has won 10 ATP World Tour titles in 2013.
Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras reportedly said Nadal could overtake Federer before he finishes his career. — AFP