Daniil Medvedev officially becomes world number 1

Daniil Medvedev officially moved to the top of the ATP rankings on Monday, overtaking Novak Djokovic, to become the 27^and player to occupy the first place since the beginning of the computerized classification in 1973.

The 26-year-old Russian won the US Open last year and was a runner-up at the Australian Open this year.

Djokovic slipped one position after only playing one tournament in 2022 due to his decision not to be vaccinated against COVID-19. He was kicked out of Australia and not allowed to defend his title in Melbourne because he’s not vaccinated — and insisted he wouldn’t be, even if he had to to play elsewhere , as at Roland-Garros or Wimbledon.

Medvedev is the first player other than Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Andy Murray to rise to the top of the world hierarchy since February 2004, when Andy Roddick was there.

Medvedev is also the first new n^oh 1 since Murray in November 2016 and the third top Russian, after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin.

“It is a huge honor to hold this rank. I’m sure everyone can understand that it comes with mixed emotions for this to happen this week, Medvedev tweeted on Monday, an apparent reference to his country’s invasion of Ukraine. Thank you to my wife, my team, my sponsors, my friends and everyone who has helped me along the way. It’s a long journey and I look forward to the years to come. »

Djokovic’s most recent stint at the top of the rankings began on February 3, 2020, and his total of 361 weeks is the longest for a man since the circuit’s computerized rankings began in 1973. He called Medvedev “very deserving in a post on Twitter last week.

“It’s great for tennis, I think, to have someone new at the top of the world,” mentioned Jiri Vesely after his victory over Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the Dubai tournament on Thursday, guaranteeing that there would have a change in the standings this week.

“Tennis of course needs new n^oh 1. A new generation is coming. I think it’s just awesome. »

Medvedev has appeared in four major tournament finals so far, losing to Nadal at the US Open in 2019 and the Australian Open in 2022 – despite winning the first two sets – and to Djokovic at the Australian Open. Australia in 2021 before beating Djokovic at the United States Open in 2021, ending the Serbian’s bid to become the first men to achieve a Grand Slam in the same calendar year in 52 years.

Alexander Zverev still sits third in the standings after being expelled from the Acapulco tournament following a violent outburst of anger directed at the chair umpire, while Nadal moved up one spot to fourth after won the title there – and beating Medvedev along the way – to improve his record to 15-0 this season.

Quebecer Félix Auger-Aliassime, who took leave last week, remains at 9^and rank. There has also been movement among the top 10 of the WTA rankings. The Czech Barbora Krejcikova, champion at Roland-Garros in 2021, gained a place to occupy the second place behind the Australian Ashleigh Barty.

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka slipped one position (n^oh 3), followed by Poland’s Iga Swiatek, the 2020 Roland-Garros champion, who moved up four places to equal her career-best ranking.

Estionian Anett Kontaveit moved up two places to fifth. Lavalloise Leylah Annie Fernandez fell two positions, to 21^and rank.