Rafael Nadal said his climb back to being world number one for the first time in three years was “unbelievable.” The latest ATP rankings were released on 21 August.
The Spaniard, who learned he was going to reclaim the top spot a week ago, was ranked number one last in July 2014.
Nadal, who won his 15th Grand Slam this year at the Roland Garros, deposes Britain's Andy Murray – who withdrew from tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati due to a hip injury – from the spot.
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The 31-year-old, who was ranked number one for 141 weeks, has struggled with knee injuries since first clinching the spot in August 2008 after a Cincinnati semi-final run.
He admitted that he doubted he could ever regain the number one spot after so many years.
Being number one after all the things that I have been going through the last couple of years is something unbelievable.Rafael Nadal
Nadal, who was knocked out in the Cincinnati quarter-finals last week by Australian Nick Kyrgios, had slipped number 13 in the ATP rankings in 2015.
And his path back to the top a week before the last Grand Slam of the season, US Open, was hailed by Chris Kermode, ATP executive chairman and president.
To regain the number one ranking nine years after having first reached it is unprecedented. Rafa has been setting records throughout his remarkable career and this one is as impressive as any. It shows incredible dedication and longevity, and we congratulate him on this amazing achievement.Chris Kermode
Kyrgios’ progress to 20 August Cincinnati final earned him a five-rung rise to number 18, with the man who beat him, Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, breaking into the top 10.
(With inputs from PTI)
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