Daniil Medvedev's 3-week stint as World No. 1 is 3rd shortest in ATP history: Here's how he can reclaim top spot from Novak Djokovic at the Miami Masters
Daniil Medvedev is all set to relinquish his hold on the World No. 1 spot this coming Monday, following his third-round exit from the 2022 Indian Wells Masters. The Russian had to reach at least the quarterfinals to retain his grip on the position, but his loss means Novak Djokovic will begin his 362nd week atop the ATP rankings.
The Russian's three-week reign as World No. 1 is the third shortest stint in ATP history. The only two players who have spent less time as World No. 1 are Carlos Moya (two weeks) and Pat Rafter (one week).
"Is it better to be world No.1 for a week in your life, or not at all? I think it's always better to have been at least once."
Mr Punchline Daniil Medvedev https://t.co/40CBfk7u5I
However, all is not lost for the reigning US Open champion. With the Serb not playing at the Miami Masters, Medvedev has a shot at replacing the 20-time Grand Slam champion at the top of the rankings by the time the ATP 1000 event comes to an end.
As of now, the 26-year-old has 8615 ranking points to his name, while Djokovic has 8465. The former will lose 250 points from his 2021 Open 13 Provence title on March 21, taking him down to 8365 points, 100 behind the 34-year-old.
Guess who will be back to World No.1 ranking when it will be updated next? 🔥
The record holder for being World No.1 for most weeks will take the crown back after Daniil Medvedev's loss in Indian Wells 👑💪
#NovakDjokovic #Tennis #IndianWells #WorldNo1 #DaniilMedvedev https://t.co/leH4Or9cnC
At the Miami Open, Djokovic is defending 45 points courtesy of his fourth-round finish in the 2019 edition (he did not play in 2021). Daniil Medvedev, on the other hand, is defending 180 points thanks to his quarterfinal run in the 2021 edition.
This brings them to 8420 and 8185 points respectively after the points are dropped on April 4. To bridge the 235-point difference, the Russian has to reach at least the semifinals in Miami
Next week, Novak Djokovic will be back as ATP World No.1.
Daniil Medvedev can get the top spot back before the clay if he reaches the semi-finals in Miami, where conditions suit him better than in Indian Wells.
A semifinal exit (360 points) will take Medvedev to 8545 points when the Monte-Carlo Masters rolls around in the second week of April. If he finishes as the runner-up (600 points), the World No. 1 will have 8785 points and a trophy run (1000 points) will take him all the way up to 9185 points.
Daniil Medvedev has never gone past the quarterfinals at the Miami Masters before
While Daniil Medvedev has fared better at the Miami Masters than at Indian Wells, history is not on his side going into the tournament. With at least a semi-final result required, the Russian will have to produce his best ever run at the ATP 1000 event to snatch the World No. 1 position from Novak Djokovic.
Daniil #Medvedev: "Now I know I'm going to lose it, so I have Miami to try
to get #1 back. Usually feeling a little bit better in Miami, so we'll try to play good there. You know, I always say, when I play my best tennis, it's really tough to beat me" https://t.co/QDolhmNFFI
The reigning US Open champion's best result is a quarter-final finish last year. Top seed Daniil Medvedev defeated three unseeded players but fell to the first seeded player he faced in the tournament -- seventh seed Roberto Bautista Agut.
In 2019, he progressed as far as the fourth round but could not make it past fourth seed Roger Federer. Interestingly, the 26-year-old's biggest win came in 2018, when he defeated the unseeded Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, he succumbed to a defeat in the second round against fourth seed Alexander Zverev.
Also Check Out: Indian Wells Masters 2022 Schedule