Rafael Nadal says returning to No. 1 is even more special for him because of numerous injury problems he's had in between.
Nadal is set to become No. 1 again next week following the Masters event in Cincinnati, the same event where he first ascended to the top. The nine-year gap is the longest in ATP rankings history.
"In 2008, I was No. 1 for the first time here," Nadal told Tennis TV. "Of course, a great memory."
Nadal, who has been plagued with illness and injury in recent years, has found his form again, winning the French Open and reaching the final of the Australian Open.