Despite sitting out since March, Roger Federer replaces Rafael Nadal as world No. 1

Roger Federer has reclaimed the number one position in the latest ATP rankings, after Rafael Nadal's surprise quarter-final exit at the Madrid Masters. 

The strange part is, Federer returned to the top spot despite not having played since March. He’s did not participate in the clay-court season for a second consecutive season.

Meanwhile, former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic slipped six places to 18th after his second-round defeat in Madrid.

Madrid winner Alexander Zverev remains third, but the man he beat in Sunday's final, Dominic Thiem, dropped a place to eighth despite knocking out Nadal on his way to facing Zverev.

The highest mover in the men's charts is Madrid semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov with the Russian teenager jumping 14 rungs to a best-ever 29th.

ATP rankings as of May 14:

1. Roger Federer (SUI) 8,670 pts (+1)

2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,950 (-1)

3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,015

4. Grigor Dimitrov (BUL) 4,870

5. Marin Cilic (CRO) 4,770

6. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 4,540

7. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 3,660 (+1)

8. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 3,545 (-1)

9. John Isner (USA) 3,305

10. David Goffin (BEL) 2,930

11. Pablo Carreno (ESP) 2,280

12. Sam Querrey (USA) 2,220 (+1)

13. Roberto Bautista (ESP) 2,210 (+1)

14. Jack Sock (USA) 2,155 (+1)

15. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2,130 (+1)

16. Lucas Pouille (FRA) 1,995 (+2)

17. Tomas Berdych (CZE) 1,980

18. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 1,905 (-6)

19. Kyle Edmund (ENG) 1,905 (+3)

20. Hyeon Chung (KOR) 1,807 (+1)