Novak Djokovic to reclaim world No.1 ranking after Daniil Medvedev suffers shock loss at Indian Wells

Just a fortnight after Daniil Medvedev became the first player outside the ‘Big Four’ to reach the top spot in the ATP rankings in 18 years.

The young Russian lost the elusive spot to the man he claimed from – Novak Djokovic. Following a shock 4-6, 6-3, 6-1 loss to Gael Monfils on Tuesday at the Indian Wells Masters, Medvedev lost the No.1 ranking leaving Djokovic with a guaranteed opportunity to reclaim the position next week.

The 26-year-old had become the first player outside Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray to be named as the world No.1 in ATP list after Andy Roddick in 2004, after Djokovic had lost in the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships against Jiri Vesely.

He was also the thrid Russian player to achieve the feat after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin. While the latter spent nine weeks in the top, Kafelnikov spent six weeks.

Medvedev needed to make the quarters of the Indian Wells to protect his ranking, the veteran French player halted his run.

“Is it better to be No. 1 for let’s say one week in your life or never touch it?” Medvedev said. “You know, I think it’s still better to at least touch it.”

Well, Djokovic might claim the top spot, but Medvedev will have the opportunity to rise to the top spot given that the unvaccinated Serbian player has not been allowed to enter the United States to play at Indian Wells or the upcoming Miami Open.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal is in a league of his own as he stretched his unbeaten run to 17-0 in 2022. The Spaniard beat 27th-seeded Daniel Evans 7-5, 6-3 Monday in the third round of the Indian Wells.

He is now tied with Roger Federer (2018) and Pete Sampras (1997) for the third-best overall start to a season in the Open era that began in 1968.

“It’s an important victory against a tricky opponent,” Nadal said. “It’s not an easy opponent to play. He plays tactically very well, using very well his slice, then playing aggressive, changing rhythms on the points.”