Medvedev Rises To World #1, Replacing Djokovic

On Monday, Daniil Medvedev will take over the ATP #1 ranking following a Novak Djokovic loss in the Dubai Championships. Medvedev becomes the 27th player to reach the No. 1 ranking and the first player that is not Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or Andy Murray to reach that slot since 2004.

Medvedev has been on a strong run as of late. In September, he won the US Open, and has been the runner-up in the Australian Open two years in a row. Currently the No. 2 ranked player in tennis, Medvedev is set to ascent to the top of the ATP rankings.

Njovak Djokovic took to Twitter on Thursday night, to congratulate Medvedev on the “well-deserved” climb.

Djokovic’s loss to Vesely came in his first tournament back since being deported from Australia last month for not being vaccinated against COVID-19. It was Vesely’s second time beating Djokovic in his career. The first coming in 2016 in Monte Carlo the only other time they faced each other.

“I never expected to win again,” Vesely said. “He’s such a champion.”

Jiri Vesely who is currently the No. 123 ranked player is set to take on Andrey Rublev in the finals of the Dubai Championships.

As for Daniil Medvedev, the soon-to-be No. one is set to take on Rafael Nadal in the Mexican Open on Saturday night. Win or lose, Medvedev will hold the No. 1 rating.

“It’s great for tennis, I think, to have somebody new at world No. 1 again,” Vesely said in his on-court interview. “Tennis needs, of course, new No. 1s. A new generation is coming up. I think it’s just great.”

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