Rafael Nadal has fallen out of the top four on the ATP Tour rankings for the first time in eight years.
The Spaniard, who has not played since June because of knee tendonitis, has slipped to fifth and has been overtaken by compatriot David Ferrer, who is up to fourth after reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open.
The last time Nadal was not in the top four was in June 2005, just before he won the first of his seven French Open titles.
Nadal is expected to return to the court in Vina del Mar, Chile, next week.
Novak Djokovic's recent Australian Open triumph saw him consolidate his world number one status.
The Serbian captured his fourth Australian Open title after defeating Andy Murray in Sunday's final which sees him maintain the same points gap over defeated semi-finalist Roger Federer at number two and Murray at three.
French surprise packet Jeremy Chardy, who advanced to the quarter-finals at the year's opening grand slam after losing in the first round last year, was the big mover as he climbed 11 places to 25, while Italian Andreas Seppi jumped five spots to 18.
Meanwhile, Victoria Azarenka remains the top-ranked women's player after her Australian Open victory.
Serena Williams swapped places with Maria Sharapova inside the top five, with the American moving to second and Sharapova slipping to number three.
Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska remains in fourth spot while Li Na, who was defeated by Azarenka in the final, climbs into the top five with German Angelique Kerber dropping to sixth spot.
The only other change in the top 10 saw Caroline Wozniacki fall one place to 11th as Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli replaced her.
Defeated semi-finalist Sloane Stephens, who won many fans with her bubbly personality along with her performances at Melbourne Park, leaped to 17th in the world after beginning the tournament at number 25.