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The Next Gen players on the ATP tour are exhibiting rapid development. Carlos Alcaraz, for instance, has put in impressive performances of late; the Spaniard has had a fantastic season thus far.
After making it to the Hamburg Open final, Alcaraz entered the ATP top five. Shortly after, he confirmed his place in the top four by making it to the Umag final.
But while Alcaraz has broken into the top four at such a young age, there are several players who have managed to hold their spot in the top four of the rankings despite being in their 30s or even beyond. On that note, let's take a look at the six oldest players in the top four of the ATP rankings:
#6 Novak Djokovic - (35y, 1m)
Novak Djokovic was 35 years and one month of age when he was among the top four in the ATP rankings. Of course, Djokovic even held the top spot for a long time.
The Serb spent a total of 373 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings before losing his position to current World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev earlier this year. Since turning 30, Djokovic has been the only player to hold down the top ranking spot for more than 100 weeks.
The 21-time Slam champion fell to No. 3 in the world rankings when he lost his position to Daniil Medvedev for the first time, but he swiftly regained it. But Djokovic went on to lose it to the Russian for a second time, and as a result of the Wimbledon ranking points saga, he is currently ranked No. 6 in the world.
#5 Jimmy Connors - (35y, 8m)
James Connors, aka Jimmy Connors, is widely considered one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Connors set an ATP record with 109 career victories, including eight Grand Slams.
The American spent an incredible 268 weeks overall as World No. 1. And in 1988, he was 35 years and eight months old when he was still placed in the top four of the ATP rankings.
#4 Rafael Nadal - (36y, 1m)
Rafael Nadal has had a stellar season so far in 2022. After winning the first two Grand Slams of the year, the Spaniard withdrew from his Wimbledon semifinal match against Nick Kyrgios due to an abdominal injury. However, he is recovering well and currently eyeing the last Grand Slam of the year - the US Open.
After winning the French Open this year by defeating Casper Ruud in straight sets, Nadal joined the elite list as one of the oldest men to have a place in the top four of the ATP rankings.
At the age of 36 years and one month, Nadal won his second Major of the year and his 22nd overall, establishing himself as the best player in 2022 and replacing Stefanos Tsitsipas in the top four.
#3 Rod Laver - (36y, 8m)
Rod "The Rocket" Laver is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He is the only confirmed player to win 200 tournaments, which he collected between 1956 and 1976.
Rod Laver also amassed a total of 11 Grand Slam singles titles. He won two calendar year Grand Slams, the first in 1962 and the second in 1969.
In 1975, at the age of 36 years and eight months, the Australian became one of the oldest top-four players on the ATP tour.
#2 Roger Federer - (39y, 2m)
Roger Federer is considered by many to be the greatest male tennis player of all time. Since making his ATP debut in 1998, the Swiss player has amassed an outstanding resume that includes 103 ATP singles titles and 20 Grand Slams. Even at the age of 40, Federer is working hard to make a comeback and has not announced his retirement yet.
By the the end of the 2020 season, the Swiss was still in the ATP top four, at the age of 39 years and two months.
#1 Ken Rosewall - (40y, 7m)
Another legendary Australian tennis player is Ken Rosewall, who competed in both the amateur and professional eras. Rosewall attained remarkable heights in both eras and is regarded as one of the sport's greatest players.
The Aussie won eight Grand Slam titles, and at the time, was the only man to have accomplished the feat on three different surfaces.
In 1975, Rosewall made history by becoming the oldest player to finish in the top four of the ATP rankings, at the age of 40 years and seven months.
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