Novak Djokovic still the best player in the world, says ATP rival

Casper Ruud says Novak Djokovic is still very much the best player in the world, regardless of what the rankings say.

Djokovic is heading into the ATP Finals in Turin as the lowest ranked of the eight players after suffering a drop this season.

That decline in the rankings, though, is down to him being forced to play a reduced scheduling due to Covid restrictions than his tennis,  which has remained at a special level whenever he has been allowed to compete.

And Ruud, who is ranked world number four after reaching two Grand Slam finals this year, says no one should be paying any attention to Djokovic’s ranking right now.

“I think tennis-wise he’s played great,” Ruud said. “He’s just been very unfortunate with the situation and how things have played out due to points, not being able to enter many countries, which has hurt him a lot on the rankings.

“But to me he will always be one of the best, if not the best player out there and always the favourite in pretty much every tournament he shows up to.

“I think he has shown that this year; he won Wimbledon, he won these two tournaments a couple of weeks ago, and in Rome. Tennis wise, I think he has done great only playing, I don’t know, eight, nine tournaments. He’s close to top five in the world.

The fact Novak Djokovic has been able to finish the season in the top eight despite being unable to earn ranking points from three Grand Slams and four Masters is testament to just how good he still is.

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