By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher
Who is the best player so far this year in men’s tennis?
It’s Andy Murray, according to one sensible, but now defunct ranking system that does not include the Olympic Games, which was won by Murray.
Wait a minute, you may say. Novak Djokovic is the clear No. 1 in the ATP World Tour rankings and won the first two majors of the year at the Australian and French Opens to complete a “Novak Slam” having won all four major titles in a row.
Well, consider this. The average sports fan only really pays close attention to tennis four times a year, during the major championships. With all due respect to the other events on the ATP World Tour, the four major championships are the anchor of the sport.
Back in 1990s (from 1990 to 1999 to be exact), the International Tennis Federation held a year-end championship called “The Grand Slam Cup” where the top 16 point leaders from a points system from all four majors qualified for a year-end competition, where the winner earned a $2 million payday.
For the Grand Slam Cup, points were awarded based on a players finish at a major, with the point values per round being as follows:
2 points – First Round
20 points – Second Round
40 points – Third Round
75 points – Fourth Round
150 points – Quarterfinals
300 points – Semifinals
450 points – Runner-up
600 points – Champion
So, through the first three major championships, using this formula, it is Andy Murray who is the top-point earner in men’s tennis this year. With his runner-up showings at the Australian and French Open and his Wimbledon victory, Andy Murray would hold 1500 points in this ranking system after Wimbledon. Djokovic would only hold 1240 points, pained by only earning 40 points based on his third-round loss to Sam Querrey at Wimbledon to go with two 600 point hauls from winning the Australian Open and the French Open.
Using this formula, this would be the top 10 rankings heading into the US Open for both men and women
Top 5 Men
Andy Murray – 1500 points
Novak Djokovic – 1240 points
Milos Raonic – 825 points
Roger Federer – 600 points
Tomas Berdych – 600 points
Top 5 Women
Serena Willams – 1500 points
Angelique Kerber – 1052 points
Garbine Muguruza – 660 points
Aga Radwanska – 450 points
Venus Williams – 377 points
