Andy Murray will be the new World No. 1 when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday. The Briton needed to win his semi-final against Milos Raonic to topple Novak Djokovic, after the latter’s quarter-final ouster on Friday.
Ahead of the semi-final, Raonic pulled out of the match with an injury to his right quad, giving Murray a walkover into the final. The Canadian is also said to be in doubt for the World Tour Finals, in London that starts next week, for which he has qualified. If Raonic withdraws from the event, Tomas Berdych will take his place in it.
Meanwhile, the Scotsman will be the first Briton since the institution of the digitised rankings in August 1973 and the 26th player overall to be reach the milestone. His succession has ended Djokovic’s streak of 122 consecutive weeks as the world No. 1. Murray is also the second oldest player to become the world No. 1 for the first time, at the age of 29, since former Australian player John Newcombe did so, at the age of 30, in June 1974.
Murray has won 73 matches this year and won seven titles. He will play the Paris final against John Isner on Sunday. The American beat Marin Cilic in the semi-final in straight sets 6-3, 6-4.
Addressing the press after receiving the news about Raonic and his becoming the world No. 1, Murray said, "It feels a little bit strange how it's happened today and obviously unfortunate that Milos is injured. In the beginning of my career, I've always wanted to win a Grand Slam, but now that I've gotten older, getting to No. 1 was something I have tried to do. I needed to improve my consistency and the last couple of seasons I have done that. I'm happy to have done that."
Murray will need to do well in the London finals to finish 2016 as the world No. 1, where Djokovic is the defending titlist.