Rafael Nadal to replace Andy Murray as world No 1
Rafael Nadal will reclaim the world No 1 ranking from Andy Murray next week after Roger Federer announced his withdrawal from the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati with a back injury.
Only Federer could have prevented the Spaniard from returning to the summit of the ATP World Tour for the first time since July 2014, with Murray guaranteed to be toppled as he continues his recuperation from his ongoing hip injury.
Federer, whose longest spell as world No 1 lasted four years between 2004 and 2008, was forced to withdraw just one day after his defeat to German youngster Alexander Zverev in straight sets in the Rogers Cup final in Montreal, just the third time Federer has lost all season.
Rafael Nadal will beat Roger Federer to world No 1 spot after Federer pulls out of Cincinnati
The Spaniard could have overtaken current world No 1 Andy Murray at the Rogers Cup last week but fell short losing in the third round to Canadian youngster Denis Shapovalov
The Scot, who lost to Marin Cilic in the 2016 Cincinnati final, will lose 600 points, meaning Nadal would usurp him even if the 31-year-old followed his big-name rivals in withdrawing from the tournament.
Apologising to Cincinnati fans in a statement, Federer said: 'Unfortunately, I tweaked my back in Montreal and I need to rest this week.'
Federer announced his 'need to rest' after losing to Alexander Zverev in Montreal
Murray remains out of action as he is recovering from a hip injury suffered during Wimbledon
Meanwhile, Nadal has continued his return to the top of the sport following a lengthy absence due to an injury of his own, and is now the only player in the world's top six still standing in the Cincinnati event, with Federer now joining Murray, Cilic, Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka on the sidelines.
The Spaniard could have reclaimed the world number one spot by reaching the semi-finals in Montreal last week, but fell to Denis Shapovalov in the third round.
Nonetheless, Nadal is almost certain to enter the US Open as the world No 1, looking to add a second Grand Slam to the French Open he claimed in June.