London, England) – Spaniard Marcel Granollers and Argentine Horacio Zeballos wrote their names in ATP history on Monday by rising to number 1 in the doubles world for the first time. After competing together for more than four years, they are now in the highest place they could reach.
“I still can’t believe it, it was a long and complex road. Doing this in my country, with a packed court, with my people. Doing it here was very special. It was a very important milestone in my career. I managed to overcome the difficult moments and now I have my reward,” Granollers, 38, told the ATP website.
“I’m very happy with what we achieved as a team and as players,” exclaimed 39-year-old Zeballos, the first Argentine to reach the top of the doubles rankings. “It is a dream. We all say ‘I want to be number 1’ when we start playing tennis. Now we’ve done it and it’s an incredible feeling. We shared this not only with the team, but I was also lucky to have my family here. It was beautiful.”
Semifinalists at the Madrid Masters 1000the two dethroned Matthew Ebden from the lead and now share the lead, second to the Australian (3rd), Indian veteran Rohan Bopanna (4th) and Briton Joe Salisbury, who rounds out the top 5.
Four Brazilians in the top 100
Marcelo Melo is the best Brazilian in this Monday’s ranking, occupying 37th place. The 40-year-old miner lost three positions. After him comes Rafael Matos, from Rio Grande do Sul, who gained a place and is now 43rd in the world. With an eye on the Olympic Games, the two will play together from the ATP 250 in Geneva and will continue in this way at Roland Garros and in the grass season.
Only two more Brazilians complete the top 100 doubles, the best placed of them is Fernando Romboli, who remained in 89th place. His partner, Marcelo Zormann from São Paulo, gained a place this week and further improved his record in the doubles ranking, rising to 96th place.
