The latest update to the ATP world rankings has brought some mixed news for Portuguese tennis. Nuno Borges and Jaime Faria have both slipped down the rankings, as revealed on Monday. Borges has dropped six places to now occupy the 42nd spot, while Faria has fallen five positions to 92nd. Despite this decline, the 28-year-old Borges still holds onto his title as Portugal’s number one. His current ranking is a step back from his all-time best of 30th, which he achieved in September 2024 after being eliminated in the semifinals of the Phoenix Challenger, a tournament he won in both 2023 and 2024.
Jaime Faria, just 21 years old, has also seen a drop in his ranking, but he remains among the world’s top 100 players. It’s worth noting that Faria has made significant strides in his career, rising from 411th place at the start of 2024 to 87th by February, making him the eighth Portuguese player to break into the top 100. His journey is a testament to the country’s growing presence in the tennis world.
Shifting Landscape at the Top
At the pinnacle of the rankings, Jannik Sinner maintains his lead, despite currently serving a three-month suspension due to a doping case. Alexander Zverev of Germany and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz follow closely in second and third place, respectively. A notable development in the top 10 is the emergence of British player Jack Draper, who has catapulted directly to seventh place – a career high – after claiming victory at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 on Sunday. Meanwhile, Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic, a former world number one and holder of 24 Grand Slam titles, has moved up two spots to fifth place.
Women’s Rankings Remain Steady
In the women’s rankings, Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus continues to lead the pack, with Poland’s Iga Swiatek and American Coco Gauff holding steady in second and third place, respectively. The women’s rankings have seen less upheaval compared to the men’s, with the top players maintaining their positions. As the tennis season unfolds, it will be interesting to see how these rankings evolve, especially with upcoming tournaments that could shake up the current standings.
