Daily Dispatch: Federer Makes Push to Retain Number One Ranking

According to a Chinese report, World No. 1 Roger Federer will play in Shanghai this year, a good indication that Federer intends to make an effort to finish the year with the number one ranking. Since he did not play Shanghai last year, it’s a chance for him to pick up additional ATP ranking points. Federer was undefeated in the three tournaments he played after the US Open last year (Basel, Bercy, and London), and has 3000 points to defend from those tournaments.

Speaking of Federer, yesterday marked the 15th anniversary of Roger Federer obtaining his first career ATP ranking, World No. 803 on September 22, 1997.

Happy birthday to World No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro, who turned 24 today.

Condolences to Jarmila Gajdosova, who lost her mother on Friday.

Our friends at WTA Today shared an illuminating post on the top-ranked WTA players ten years ago. Per their list, here’s the top 10 players from September 23, 2002:

1. Serena Williams
2. Venus Williams
3. Jennifer Capriati
4. Monica Seles
5. Jelena Dokic
6. Amelie Mauresmo
7. Justine Henin
8. Kim Clijsters
9. Lindsay Davenport
10. Martina Hingis

The 23-year-old Martin Klizan, who won his first career ATP title in St. Petersburg, will reach a career-high ranking of No. 33, and has won 10 of his last 11 matches, making him one of the hottest players on the ATP Tour. However, Klizan has elected not to play in Kuala Lumpur.