Tennis Rankings 2016: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic And Others Before French Open

The French Open is just a week away, as the world's best tennis players compete in the year’s second Grand Slam tournament. Novak Djokovic remains the favorite, but the No.1 ranked player faces stiff competition on red clay.

Having won four of the last five Grand Slams, Djokovic has yet to capture the title at Roland Garros. His biggest threat should come from the No.2 player in the world, who is fresh off a championship in Rome.

Andy Murray defeated Djokovic in the finals of the Italian Open, winning the championship and moving up to No.2 in the ATP rankings. The Scot swaps places with Roger Federer, who moved back to No.3 after an early exit. Murray dropped Djokovic in straight sets a week after Djokovic beat him in three sets at the Madrid Open final.

But neither Murray nor Djokovic has ever won the French Open. Rafael Nadal has dominated the event since 2005, winning the championship all but two times. He’s ranked fifth in the world and behind the two other Roland Garros winners over the last decade: Federer and Stan Wawrinka.

Federer won the title in 2009, and he’s ranked No.3 despite not having won a tournament in 2016. He was ousted in Rome by Dominic Thiem in the third round, and hasn’t advanced past the quarterfinals of a tournament since the Australian Open.

Dealing with a knee injury, Federer isn’t too concerned with his recent performance.

"Now obviously time starts ticking more towards Paris," Federer said after his most recent loss. "Clearly the way I'm playing right now is never going to be enough for any good run in Paris, and then I also wouldn't play this way. I'm still confident I will be fine somehow."

The French Open has a history of upset victories, and this year may be no different. Wawrinka, the defending champion, is the only player outside of tennis’ “Big Four” to have won the French Open since 2005. He’s No.4 in the tennis rankings, and he’s struggled since winning at Dubai in February.

David Ferrer reached the 2013 French Open final, but he's down three spots in the rankings to No. 12 after several disappointing finishes this year. Richard Gasquet, who should have the Paris crowd on his side, made the biggest leap of any player in the top 25, moving up to No.10 after being ousted in consecutive tournaments by Kei Nishikori, who ranks No. 6.

Gasquet is one of five French players in the Top 25, which includes Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (No. 7), Gael Monfils (No. 14), Gilles Simon (No.18) and Benoit Paire (No. 21). John Isner (No. 17) and Jack Sock (No. 25) are the only Americans.

ATP Rankings (Points)

1) Novak Djokovic (16,150)

2) Andy Murray (8,435)

3) Roger Federer (7,015)

4) Stan Wawrinka (6,110)

5) Rafael Nadal (5,675)

6) Kei Nishikori (4,470)

7) Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (3,355)

8) Tomas Berdych (2,850)

9) Milos Raonic (2,785)

10) Richard Gasquet (2,725)

11) Marin Cilic (2,715)

12) David Ferrer (2,650)

13) David Goffin (2,570)

14) Gael Monfils (2,470)

15) Dominic Thiem (2,430)

16) Roberto Bautista Agut (2,015)

17) John Isner (2,010)

18) Gilles Simon (1,945)

19) Nick Kyrgios (1,875)

20) Kevin Anderson (1,795)

21) Benoit Paire (1,641)

22) Bernard Tomic (1,625)

23) Feliciano Lopez (1,550)

24) Viktor Troicki (1,535)

25) Jack Sock (1,505)