ATP World Tour: Top 5 Players On Tour

Last Sunday, Novak Djokovic extended his winning run to 18 consecutive matches after sealing another ATP 1000 Masters title in Shanghai.

The Serb defeated Borna Coric in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to remind people that he is in a strong position to end 2018 as world number one.

The last couple of years have taught us how champions like Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal can make a big impact when returning from long-term injuries.

In a sport where Djokovic, Federer and Nadal have dominated at the top for most of the 21st century it just shows how difficult it has been for the younger generation to compete against multiple Grand Slam winners.

The likes of Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem have impressed by advancing in the ATP rankings but they still have a lot to learn and do if they want to take over the positions of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal.

There are just a few weeks left of the 2018 season of the ATP World Tour and the world number one spot is still up for grabs.

So who are the top 5 players in men's tennis right now?

Here is your top 5...

#5 Alexander Zverev

It's been a good season for the young German

Alexander Zverev looks to be qualifying for the second time at the ATP World Tour Finals which is the season-ender in London.

Only the top 8 players qualify for the tournament which goes to show that 2018 has been a good year for Zverev.

The German has so far picked up three titles this year to continue his contention for being the next top player in the sport.

Zverev won the Washington Open (ATP 500), Munich Open (ATP 250) and one of his biggest titles yet was winning the Madrid Masters (ATP 1000).

The young German is a promising talent for the future of the sport. Just last weekend Zverev missed out on reaching the Shanghai Masters final, losing to Novak Djokovic in the semis.

Zverev does show glimpses of frustration on the court which from time to time includes smashing his racquet to the ground - an attitude the 21-year-old will need to overcome if he is to make it big in the sport.

#4 Juan Martin del Potro

Juan Martin del Potro certainly is back!

The Argentine has had quite the rollercoaster ride over the last few years.

A number of wrist injuries have haunted the world number four from continuing to compete at the top for all the titles on offer.

Del Potro once revealed that he nearly retired from the sport because of the never-ending spell of injuries.

But the 30-year-old's determination and can-do attitude has kept his belief strong that he can still compete against the best in the business.

His highlight of 2018 so far was reaching the US Open final which saw Del Potro finish runner-up to Novak Djokovic in three sets.

But another moment for Del Potro to remember was defeating Roger Federer at this year's Indian Wells Masters.

Del Potro also won the Mexican Open back in March.

#3 Roger Federer

Another season where Federer has proved that age is just a number

Roger Federer continues to compete at the top!

2018 has probably been a mixed one for the Swiss as it all started with glory by defending his Australian Open title against Marin Cilic.

Then came the Rotterdam Open where Federer was reanointed the world number one - a scene some didn't think would ever happen again.

But Federer would only be top of the rankings for a short spell before failing to retain his Wimbledon crown after a shock defeat to Kevin Anderson.

And the 37-year-old also fell short at the Cincinnati Masters losing out to Novak Djokovic.

So a half and half kind of season for Federer but many of his fans will be pleased to see him still competing for the titles on offer.

There is still a small chance of Federer finishing the year as world no. 1 but it will be a big ask.

#2 Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has come back to the ATP World Tour circuit by storm!

The Serb has learnt from what his fellow competitors did when injuries took over, he gave himself plenty of time to recover and be ready to get back on the courts.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal did this for the last few months of 2016 by pulling out for the remainder of the season.

Six months of recovery and straight away both players competed in the final of the Australian Open just weeks after they returned to the tour.

Djokovic was inspired by their plans and he has come back like the champion he was and now is yet again.

The world number two finally got his hands on the Cincinnati Masters trophy to become the first player to achieve the 'Golden Masters'.

And just weeks later he won his third US Open to just showcase that he really is back.

Last weekend, Djokovic won the Shanghai Masters once more and is now bidding to end the season as world number one.

It's possible and his form is currently outmatching his rivals.

#1 Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal is currently the world number one but for how much longer?

The Spaniard now has Novak Djokovic to keep an eye out for after the Serb took over Federer's position in the second spot of the ATP rankings.

Nadal is only 215 points ahead of Djokovic and there are still a handful of tournaments left to be played in 2018.

The final tournament is the ATP World Tour Finals in London and it might determine who will end the year as world number one.

Nadal is hoping to compete at this month's Basel Open (ATP 500) and the Paris Masters (ATP 1000) in a bid to stay at the top of the rankings.

Can Nadal stay on top of the tree come the end of the season?

Who will end the year as world no. 1? Comment your predictions...

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Edited by Arvind Sriram