Djokovic surges back into top three after Melbourne final

In Melbourne’s buzzing arena, Carlos Alcaraz completed the Career Grand Slam with a hard-fought Australian Open victory, the 22-year-old Spaniard hoisting the trophy amid roaring crowds. His five-set duel against Novak Djokovic not only capped a historic week but also lifted other players in the PIF ATP Rankings through their gritty performances on the fast hard courts. These shifts, locked in as of February 2, reveal how tactical edges and mental steel turned potential setbacks into ranking gains.

Djokovic adapts through final’s fire

No. 3 Novak Djokovic rose one spot after reaching his 38th major final at the Australian Open, falling just short of a record-extending 25th Slam and 11th in Melbourne. He edged Jannik Sinner in the semifinals with a blend of heavy topspin forehands inside-out and slice backhands down-the-line, disrupting the Italian’s baseline rhythm in prolonged exchanges. This marked his first Slam final since losing to Alcaraz at Wimbledon 2024, pulling the 38-year-old into the top three for the first time since August 2024 and signaling a fierce return to form.

The Serb’s game plan thrived on the hard courts’ grip, using a one–two pattern—wide serves followed by crosscourt returns—to counter explosive power. Crowd energy surged with every sliding defensive cover, his adaptability turning Alcaraz‘s aggressive inside-in winners into opportunities for counterpunches. Now positioned higher, he carries that resilience into the clay season, where his all-surface prowess could widen the chase for records.

Young Americans break through barriers

No. 24 Learner Tien jumped five places to a career high, becoming the youngest American man to reach a major quarterfinal since 2002 after a straight-sets upset over Daniil Medvedev. The 20-year-old improved to 3-1 in their head-to-head with flat inside-in forehands that redirected pace, exposing weaknesses on second serves during Melbourne’s high-bounce conditions. Fresh from lifting the Next Gen ATP Finals crown in 2025, his surge embodies the confidence boost of defying odds in a Slam’s pressure cooker.

No. 68 Ethan Quinn vaulted 12 spots by defeating seeds Tallon Griekspoor and Hubert Hurkacz, advancing to the third round at a major for the second time after Roland Garros 2025. The 21-year-old mixed steady baseline rallies with net rushes, shortening points against big servers on the speedy surface. These breakthroughs ease the early-season grind for U.S. talents, fueling a narrative of resurgence as they eye indoor hard courts ahead.

Veterans grind against the clock

No. 54 Tomas Martin Etcheverry climbed eight places with two wins at the Australian Open, including a five-set grind against Miomir Kecmanovic where topspin loops extended rallies until the Serb faltered. The 26-year-old Argentine was then halted by Alexander Bublik, but his effort on the grippy hard courts highlighted defensive transitions from clay roots. This ascent bolsters South American momentum, a mental reset before the dirt season intensifies.

No. 61 Marin Cilic rose nine spots after a third-round run without dropping a set to Denis Shapovalov or Daniel Altmaier, his booming serves and inside-out forehands dominating baseline duels. The 37-year-old Croatian, a 2018 finalist, anchored himself amid the arena’s roar with calm precision. Meanwhile, 40-year-old Stan Wawrinka leaped 26 places to No. 113, the oldest to reach the third round since Ken Rosewall, his one-handed backhand slices carving angles that evoked past triumphs.

Other top 100 movers include No. 7 Taylor Fritz up two, No. 19 Francisco Cerundolo plus two, No. 27 Valentin Vacherot gaining four to a career high, No. 30 Frances Tiafoe advancing four, No. 71 Eliot Spizzirri surging 14 to a career high, No. 80 Hamad Medjedovic up 10, and No. 87 Alexander Shevchenko rising 10. These climbs from Melbourne’s unforgiving draw underscore a tour where every point chips at the hierarchy, setting up pivots to faster indoors and beyond.