As many as five tennis stars will be in contention to become world No. 1 ranking at the US Open 2022, including Rafael Nadal, according to ATP Tour. The final Grand Slam event of the year, which is set to begin on August 28, will see several top stars competing for the top honours. While one of the biggest tennis stars out there, Novak Djokovic’s chances of participating in the tournament are dwindling for his vaccine status, many others have everything it takes to replace him at Flushing Meadows.

The tournament will be particularly interesting for Rafael Nadal, who is looking to clinch his 23rd Grand Slam trophy at the US Open 2022. The Spaniard is also looking to create some distance between him and Novak Djokovic, who is only one Grand Slam title away from equalling Nadal’s record. Added to that, if he wins the US Open in 2022, he will also become the oldest player to finish the year as No. 1.

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Let’s take a look at the five tennis stars who can also become world No.1 at the US Open 2022.

5. Casper Ruud

Norwegian star Casper Ruud, who recently climbed to the fifth spot in the ATP rankings, can become the first player from his country to finish the year as the top-ranked player at the US Open 2022. He currently has 4695 points, however, if he can force Daniil Medvedev to drop the 2000 points he is defending from last year and everyone ahead of him in the rankings also drop points, he will become world no. 1.

4. Stefanos Tsitsipas

24-year-old Greek maverick Stefanos Tsitsipas also has the chance to grab the ATP top spot in the rankings at the US Open 2022. Tsitsipas has a reputation for often being unpredictable and a good showing at the Flushing Meadows will help him become the no. 1 in the world. He is currently in the fifth spot with 4890 points.

Tsitsipas will be hoping for Daniil Medvedev to drop the 2000 points he is defending, as well as the others in front of him. However, it must be noted that Tsitsipas has been unable to move past the third round at the US Open in his previous four appearances.

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3. Carlos Alcaraz

One of the rising players from Spain, Carlos Alcaraz will be looking to end the season brightly and overtake compatriot Rafael Nadal at the US Open 2022. The teenage sensation has taken the tennis world by storm and will be hoping to win the US Open 2022 to grab the top ATP spot. He is currently in the fourth spot behind Nadal, with 5190 points.

If Alcaraz makes it to the top at the US Open, he will also break the record of Australian Lleyton Hewitt and become the youngest player to finish at the top spot in the history of the sport.

2. Rafael Nadal

One of the favourites to win the US Open 2022, Nadal will be vying to become the oldest player to finish at the top and win a record 23rd Grand Slam title at the Flushing Meadows. He is currently in the third spot behind Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev but has a good chance to achieve the ranking.

Nadal did not participate in the 2021 edition of the US Open, which means he is not defending any points this year. However, current champion Daniil Medvedev is defending 2000 points and if Nadal forces him to drop it, it will make him the world no. 1.

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He will also be leading by 590 points against Alexander Zverev and 745 points against Daniil Medvedev if he manages to do it.

1. Daniil Medvedev

The reigning champion at the US Open 2022, Medvedev is already defending 2000 points from the last edition of the Grand Slam. If he manages to replicate his performance from the last year and win the title, he will add yet more points to his tally to cement his place in the ATP rankings for the ongoing year.