Who topped the first ever year-end ATP Rankings 52 years ago

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Only one player can finish the season as the ATP world number one…

Back in 1973, the ATP Tour introduced its ranking system in a bid to simplify tournament entry criteria.

Most players were in favor of the move, although Romania’s Ilie Nastase was reportedly unhappy, suggesting that the decision led to a more competitive and less friendly atmosphere in the locker room.

Interestingly enough, it was Nastase who topped the first set of rankings, which were released on August 23, 1973.

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But was he still on top of the world by the end of the year?

Ilie Nastase finished 1973 as the world number one

Winning the French Open, Italian Open, and 12 other titles in 1973, Nastase topped the world rankings.

1973 year-end ATP rankings

Second, behind Nastase, was Australia’s John Newcombe, who won two Grand Slam titles in 1973.

The Aussie won his home tournament and the US Open, but that wasn’t quite enough to see him finish top of the pile.

America’s Jimmy Connors finished the year ranked third in the world, ahead of Tom Okker, Stan Smith, Ken Rosewall, Manuel Orantes, and the legendary Rod Laver.

1973 Wimbledon champion Jan Kodes and Arthur Ashe rounded out the top 10.

Nastase will always be remembered as the first-ever year-end number one, although he was unable to repeat the feat.

In 1974, it was Connors who finished on top, ahead of Newcombe and Bjorn Borg.

1974 year-end ATP rankings

Nastase finished the 1974 season as the world number 10, just behind Smith and Rosewall.

The Romanian’s triumph in 1973 was followed by Connors’ success in 1974, but who’s finished number one since?

Every year-end number one since 1973

• 1973 – Ilie Nastase
• 1974 – Jimmy Connors
• 1975 – Jimmy Connors (2)
• 1976 – Jimmy Connors (3)
• 1977 – Jimmy Connors (4)
• 1978 – Jimmy Connors (5)
• 1979 – Bjorn Borg
• 1980 – Bjorn Borg (2)
• 1981 – John McEnroe
• 1982 – John McEnroe (2)
• 1983 – John McEnroe (3)
• 1984 – John McEnroe (4)
• 1985 – Ivan Lendl
• 1986 – Ivan Lendl (2)
• 1987 – Ivan Lendl (3)
• 1988 – Mats Wilander
• 1989 – Ivan Lendl (4)
• 1990 – Stefan Edberg
• 1991 – Stefan Edberg (2)
• 1992 – Jim Courier
• 1993 – Pete Sampras
• 1994 – Pete Sampras (2)
• 1995 – Pete Sampras (3)
• 1996 – Pete Sampras (4)
• 1997 – Pete Sampras (5)
• 1998 – Pete Sampras (6)
• 1999 – Andre Agassi
• 2000 – Gustavo Kuerten
• 2001 – Lleyton Hewitt
• 2002 – Lleyton Hewitt (2)
• 2003 – Andy Roddick
• 2004 – Roger Federer
• 2005 – Roger Federer (2)
• 2006 – Roger Federer (3)
• 2007 – Roger Federer (4)
• 2008 – Rafael Nadal
• 2009 – Roger Federer (5)
• 2010 – Rafael Nadal (2)
• 2011 – Novak Djokovic
• 2012 – Novak Djokovic (2)
• 2013 – Rafael Nadal (3)
• 2014 – Novak Djokovic (3)
• 2015 – Novak Djokovic (4)
• 2016 – Andy Murray
• 2017 – Rafael Nadal (4)
• 2018 – Novak Djokovic (5)
• 2019 – Rafael Nadal (5)
• 2020 – Novak Djokovic (6)
• 2021 – Novak Djokovic (7)
• 2022 – Carlos Alcaraz
• 2023 – Novak Djokovic (8)
• 2024 – Jannik Sinner
• 2025 – Carlos Alcaraz (2)

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic has more year-end number one finishes than anyone else, finishing top eight times between 2011 and 2023.

Djokovic’s record will be tough to beat, but with two year-end number one finishes at just 22 years of age, Carlos Alcaraz could be the one to do it…

Only time will tell if Alcaraz can finish top again in 2026, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for.

He’ll look to get off to a strong start at the Australian Open, which begins on Sunday, January 18.