Houdet, Reid on equal points in men’s world rankings

After last week’s Apia International, the first ITF Super Series of the year, in Sydney, Australia, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has released its new world rankings.

In the men’s singles, France’s multiple-Grand Slam winner Stephane Houdet and Great Britain’s Rio 2016 champion Gordon Reid both have the same number of points (4531.00). However, Reid remains as the No.1 because he has played fewer tournaments (14) than his opponent (20) over the last 52 weeks.

Australia’s Rio 2016 silver medallist Alfie Hewett reached a career best as he moved up to sixth after making it to the final at the Apia International.

The Netherlands’ Diede de Groot climbed to fifth, her highest-position ever in the women’s singles rankings. Four of the top five players are now Dutch, with double Paralympic champion Jiske Griffioen leading, Marjolein Buis as No. 3 and Aniek van Koot as No. 4.

Japan’s Yui Kamiji remains as world No.2.

The other major change was in the quad doubles rankings as the USA’s David Wagner returned to world No.1 ahead of British players Andy Lapthorne and Jamie Burdekin.

Check the full rankings on the International Tennis Federation’s website.

Melbourne Open draws revealed

The last event prior to the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, from 25-28 January, will take place in Melbourne, Australia, between 18-21 January.

Reid is the top seed and Argentina’s 2016 Roland Garros champion Gustavo Fernandez was seeded second in the men’s singles. Belgium’s Joachim Gerard and France’s Nicolas Peifer will start as favourites in the doubles.

In the women’s singles, Kamiji and Buis will be looking their first title of the season.

The full draws are available on the ITF’s website.