Emirates ATP Rankings Update: Don't forget David Goffin's career year

The beginning of November belonged to Paris Masters champion Jack Sock, and the middle of the month belonged to Nitto ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov. But no matter how the Davis Cup final between Belgium and France turns out, we have to acknowledge the achievements of David Goffin.

The diminutive Belgian began the 2017 season just outside the Top 10, at No. 11. But as players get closer to the top of the rankings ladder, the rungs become harder to climb. Goffin fell no lower than No. 14 this year, winning two titles and reaching three finals. But it was a semifinal run, at the ATP 500 Swiss Indoors Basel, that saw Goffin crack the Top 10 for the first time. That run was ended by Roger Federer—no shame in that, but it did drop Goffin's record against the Swiss—who won 6-1, 6-2—to a demoralizing 0-6.

It only made Goffin's achievement at the Nitto ATP Finals all the more satisfying. After advancing to the knockout rounds with round-robin victories over Rafael Nadal and Dominic Thiem, Goffin bested Federer for the first time, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, for a spot in the championship match. In doing so, Goffin became just the sixth player to defeat Nadal and Federer at the same tournament.

"Both are really special," Goffin said of his upset wins. "It was the first time against Rafa. Then the semifinal for the first time for me here, and to beat Roger for the first time here in such a big event, big tournament, it was the perfect moment."

Like Sock (No. 8) and Dimitrov (No. 3), Goffin ended the 2017 ATP season at a career-high ranking (No. 7). He didn't win a Masters title like the American, and he was unable to defeat the Bulgarian in either match they played in London. Who knows what kind of strength he last left for the best-of-five, pressure-packed grind that is the Davis Cup final.

"I proved to myself that I can do it," Goffin said of his growth as a player after his three-set loss to Dimitrov in the final. "I was at the right place because, you know, sometimes you are for the first time in the top 8, you don't know how it's going to go, if you're going to play a good level.

"I proved to myself that, yeah, I'm in the right place, and I deserve to be here in this tournament. Then match after match, I took more confidence until the final. So I'm proud of what I've achieved, even if I'm disappointed about the final.

"I gave everything. I have no regrets after the final. Anyway, it was a great week. So, yeah, I think I'm a better player."

This year will be remembered for a number of breakthroughs and revivals. But let's not forget the year of David Goffin.

The year-end Top 10:

1. Rafael Nadal (10,465 points)

2. Roger Federer (9,605 points)

3. Grigor Dimitrov (5,150 points)

4. Alexander Zverev (4,610 points)

5. Dominic Thiem (4,015 points)

6. Marin Cilic (3,805 points)

7. David Goffin (3,775 points)

8. Jack Sock (3,165 points)

9. Stan Wawrinka (3,150 points)

10. Pablo Carreno Busta (2,615 points)