Daniil Medvedev has succeeded Novak Djokovic as world No 1, becoming the first player since 2004 outside the “Big Four” to occupy the spot. Photo: Twitter @AustralianOpen
Daniil Medvedev has succeeded Novak Djokovic as world No 1, becoming the first player since 2004 outside the “Big Four” to occupy the spot. Photo: Twitter @AustralianOpen
Daniil Medvedev succeeded Novak Djokovic as world No 1 on Monday, becoming the first man since 2004 outside the game’s “Big Four” of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray to occupy the top spot.
Daniil Medvedev in just the third Russian to hold the No 1 spot
US Open champion Medvedev is the third Russian man after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin, and 27th player overall, to rise to the top of the ATP rankings.
READ | LLOYD HARRIS’ HORROR SEASON CONTINUES WITH DUBAI DEFEAT
The 26-year-old Medvedev, beaten by Nadal in the Acapulco semi-finals last week, was guaranteed to move above Djokovic after the Serb’s quarter-final loss in Dubai.
Djokovic, who has spent a record 361 weeks as the world number one, was competing in his first tournament of the season following his deportation from Australia in January.
Alexander Zverev stayed in third despite being thrown out of the Acapulco event after smashing his racket on the umpire’s chair several times during a doubles match.
READ | ALEXANDER ZVEREV HIT BY HEAVY FINE FOR SENSATIONAL MEXICO OPEN OUTBURST
Nadal rose one place to fourth after claiming his third title of the season and 91st of his career.
The Spaniard is unbeaten since losing to Lloyd Harris in Washington last August.
He ended his 2021 season after that because of a left foot injury.
Top 20 in the latest ATP Tour rankings:
1. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 8 615
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8 465
3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 7 515
4. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6 515
5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6 445
6. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 5 000
7. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 4 928
8. Casper Ruud (NOR) 3 915
9. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3 883
10. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 3 496
11. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 3 495
12. Cameron Norrie (GBR) 3 325
13. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 3 020
14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2 865
15. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 2 480
16. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 2 220
17. Reilly Opelka (USA) 2 156
18. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 2 121
19. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 2 061
20. Taylor Fritz (USA) 2 010
Also:
32. Lloyd Harris (RSA) 1 393
90. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 719
READ | DAVIS CUP: TWO NEW FACES IN SA SQUAD FOR VITAL PROMOTION TIE
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
