Rankings watch: Aussie men best in 14 years
Australia's nine-strong contingent in the ATP top 200 represents the largest group of Aussies in this elite bracket in almost 14 years.
Melbourne VIC, Australia, 12 May 2014 | tennis.com.au
Australia’s nine-strong contingent in the ATP top 200 represents the largest group of Aussies in this elite bracket in almost 14 years.
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As highlighted in a recent Herald Sun article by Leo Schlink, Australia has not had this kind of representation in the top 200 since 25 September 2000.
Our leading man back then was Lleyton Hewitt, the Australian No.1 ranked world No.7 at that time. He was followed by Mark Philippoussis (15), Pat Rafter (19), Andrew Ilie (49), Jason Stoltenberg (73), Richard Fromberg (81), Wayne Arthurs (87), Todd Woodbridge (143) and James Sekulov (181).
Remarkably, Hewitt remains Australia’s No.1 player at age 33, ranked No.42.
But snapping at his heels are a talented group of youngsters including Bernard Tomic (80), Nick Kyrgios (159), James Duckworth (167) and Matt Reid (200).
Also in the top 200 club are Marinko Matosevic (65), Matt Ebden (70), Sam Groth (143) and John-Patrick Smith (196).
> see where the Aussies stand in the latest ATP rankings
Alex Bolt looks poised to bolster Australia’s representation in the top 200 to 10, rising 11 places this week to a career-high of No.229.
Also enjoying improvements were Luke Saville, who vaulted 16 spots to No.241 after reaching the quarterfinals of the Gimcheon ATP Challenger in Korea, and Dane Propoggia, who moved up 60 places thanks to his recent ITF Futures title in Korea.
On the women’s side, the Aussies remained relatively steady in the latest WTA list; Australia’s No.1 player Sam Stosur rose one place to world No.18.