1 Defining Novak Djokovic Story for Tennis Fans
Press Monitor's media monitoring of Indian print publications delivers a press review of the day's defining tennis story. According to Press Monitor's tracking of Indian publications, Novak Djokovic's rise to ATP number two marks a pivotal moment in men's tennis — news on Novak Djokovic ATP rankings that reshapes the sport's hierarchy. This print media monitoring report brings you media intelligence on the biggest shift in tennis since the Big Three era began.
1. Novak Djokovic's Climb to ATP No. 2
A front-page report in Dainik Bhaskar says Novak Djokovic has moved up to second place in the latest ATP rankings released on Monday, slipping from fifth position. This marks the first time since October 2002 that none of the Big Three players - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic - are in the top ten, with Federer and Nadal having retired at ages 44 and 38 respectively. Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Carlos Alcaraz remain at first, second, and third places, while US Open finalist Ben Shelton jumped five spots to reach fourth.
Why it matters: Djokovic's move to second place is more than a ranking update — it reflects the changing guard in professional tennis and the emergence of a new generation of champions. The fact that none of the Big Three now occupy the top ten signals a generational turnover that will affect tournament seeding, sponsorship valuations, and fan engagement worldwide.
Key detail: The ATP rankings released on Monday show Djokovic jumping from fifth to second, while Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Carlos Alcaraz hold the top three spots. Ben Shelton's five-place leap to fourth further underscores the depth of talent reshaping the tour. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, both retired, leave a legacy that this new wave is now building upon.
Source: Dainik Bhaskar, front-page report from Delhi, 15 September 2026.
Next step: Follow Press Monitor for ongoing media intelligence on how this ranking reshapes sponsorship deals, tournament seeding, and the future of tennis in India.
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