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Alcaraz and Nadal become first compatriots to top the ATP rankings since 2000

Two generations, two brilliant Spanish players - Alcaraz and Nadal make history
Two generations, two brilliant Spanish players - Alcaraz and Nadal make historyProfimedia
It is unusual to have two players from the same country in the top 10 of the ATP ranking. It has rarely been seen in the top 5. But two men born in the same country being number 1 and 2, that's especially unique. Well, Spanish fans can congratulate themselves, because both Carlos Alcaraz (19) and Rafael Nadal (36) will occupy the top two positions in the ATP from Monday. Casper Ruud's (23) loss in the quarterfinals in Seoul made way for Nadal to overtake him at the number 2 spot.

Alcaraz, who became the youngest No. 1 in ATP history after winning the US Open, and Nadal, who completed a spectacular first half of the season where he won, among other tournaments, the Australian Open and Roland Garros, are now leading the Race to Turin, where the ATP Finals are held this year.

This milestone is so unusual that you have to go back to August 7th 2000 to find the last occasion on which two compatriots led the world tennis rankings. Back then it was American legends Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras who topped the rankings. Just goes to show how difficult it is for this to happen. 

Despite the good news for the Spanish fans, it will not be easy for this situation to continue due to Nadal's abdominal injury, which will presumably prevent him from playing too many tournaments in the near future.