Djokovic to retain World No. 1 after Australian Open

Peter Staples/ATP Tour

Novak Djokovic will leave the Australian Open as the No. 1 player in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings no matter what happens in the rest of the tournament.

Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev all began the season's first major with a chance to depart Melbourne as World No. 1. But after Alcaraz's loss to Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals, Djokovic is guaranteed to retain his place at the top.

According to the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, Djokovic has an insurmountable 9,855 points, putting him 600 points ahead of Alcaraz (9,255). The question is whether the Serbian will add to his advantage by winning a record-extending 11th Australian Open title.

Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings

Djokovic has an opportunity to surge ahead by as many as 1,800 points if he lifts the trophy, depending on the results the rest of the event. If Medvedev earns his second major crown and Djokovic loses in the semi-finals to Jannik Sinner, the World No. 1 will lead Medvedev by just 390 points.

The 36-year-old Djokovic's current stint at the top began after last year's US Open. He is pursuing a record-extending ninth ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by Pepperstone honour this year.

There could be a shakeup at World No. 2. If former World No. 1 Medvedev wins the title, he will pass Alcaraz for the No. 2 spot. 

Sinner also has a chance to reach a career-high World No. 3. If the Italian claims his first major title, he will pass Medvedev.

Former World No. 2 Zverev can climb no higher than World No. 5 by triumphing in Melbourne.