DANIIL MEDVEDEV SUCCEEDED Novak Djokovic as world number one 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.
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.
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.
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.
ATP rankings:
1. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 8615 pts (+1)
2. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 8465 (-1)
3. Alexander Zverev (GER) 7515
4. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 6515 (+1)
5. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 6445 (-1)
6. Andrey Rublev (RUS) 5000 (+1)
7. Matteo Berrettini (ITA) 4928 (-1)
8. Casper Ruud (NOR) 3915
9. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 3883
10. Hubert Hurkacz (POL) 3496 (+1)
11. Jannik Sinner (ITA) 3495 (-1)
12. Cameron Norrie (GBR) 3325
13. Denis Shapovalov (CAN) 3020 (+1)
14. Diego Schwartzman (ARG) 2865 (-1)
15. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 2480
16. Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP) 2220 (+1)
17. Reilly Opelka (USA) 2156 (+1)
18. Nikoloz Basilashvili (GEO) 2121 (+1)
19. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) 2061 (+1)
20. Taylor Fritz (USA) 2010 (-4)
Comedian Michael Fry is our special guest on this week’s episode of The Front Row, in partnership with Guinness. Joining host Seán Burke, Eimear Considine and Murray Kinsella, he chats about his family’s rugby background and his short-lived playing days, before using his musical ear to rank the anthems of each Guinness Six Nations team. Click here to subscribe or listen below:
The42 / SoundCloud
The one time he used an arm in a tackle he nearly decapitated a lad. He’s safer with his no arm efforts, plus he never gets carded for them.
He’s only ‘incredibly regretful’ because a ref finally had the stones to do something about his persistent cheap shots and dreadful technique during a game. Overrated player regardless, I hope he has the book thrown at him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah but he’s sorry
@Carmine Lorenzo: terrible challenge but far from overrated
@Stephen Duffy: He’s not as good a 10 as the likes of ‘Barnesey’ and Stephen Jones make out.
@Carmine Lorenzo: ah lads over rated. He is a work horse with a good brain and a winner. He is loyal to a club that yes we all cant abide but he is an outstanding player. Id love if he joined Munster….as unpopular that is to say but we would win a cup
@Carmine Lorenzo: I was surprised to read it was his first red card of his career. He is involved in high tackles quite regularly. Great player but plays on the edge too much for me.
He has been tackling like this for years and never sanctioned for it. He deserves everything he gets too. He’s a brilliant player but he’s a dirty player too.
@Batster: 100% agree. They need to make a statement for whole of rugby here.
His reaction indicated he realised he’d miss the Leinster game, bugger all remorse really. But the Sarries PR machine running to defend him, will ensure he gets the minimum ban possible….
Want to see him play. Class player
@ollie:
@ollie: You’re some fisherman
@Rosco Bosco: always liked him couldn’t care that he’s English. Fellas class on the ball and decapitates attackers. It’s wrong but he’s unreal
@ollie: aggressive kicking game too
@ollie: aw nobody is biting! I’ll help out. What do you mean Ollie? He’s a fouling no good so-and-so! There, is that better?
Ohhh that’s only the 4th …. maybe 5th time we’ve had to hear that sentiment??
@Dave O’Shaughnessy: actually, check how many bans he’s had
@Dave O’Keeffe:
I know, it’s terrible that he’s gotten away with it for so long.
No he is not sorry at all he is a dirty player and he is only sorry because he was been caught. He has got away with dangerous play for far too long. I hope he gets more than a slap on the hand.
Problem here is the fake arm tackle practiced by a huge percentage of today’s rugby players. They clench their muscles
and throw the arm in in what is essentially a hit rather than an attempt to grab the opponent. Unfortunately for Farrell this dodgy technique allied to the player changing direction and height at the moment of the tackle led to this incredibly dangerous tackle! Still lots of work to be done on tackle technique and defensive coaches expectations!
@CARMODY Neil: very well said.
Incredible knob
His good disciplinary record, are you having a laugh. At last a ref with the guts to stop him.
@Ian James Burgess: what do you mean the guts to stop him
It was a reckless challenge and the worst referee on the planet no matter how incompetent would have to send him off
A long time coming. Talented player but have absolutely no time for him. Filthy player.
So there is low medium and high level and if his is eventually classed as mid, what would high actually be? It would have to be a very frightening outcome it seems. Let’s just wait and see how much they are genuinely stamping out this kind of low life thug.
Big cj stander will shake him off his leg again
I am me….I can do this stuff……I am untouchable…..oh gosh, mebbe not!
Very poor tackling technique. Leads to fouls and dangerous play. Bout time he was sanctioned
Class act marred by cheap shots.
He’ll probably only get a two match ban
He’s a dirt tackler.