Stay on top: will Medvedev be able to keep the first line of the ATP rating in the next month

Daniil Medvedev remained on the first line of the ATP rankings ahead of two Masters series tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

Now the Russian has 8615 points, and he is 150 points ahead of the long-term leader of the Serbian tour Novak Djokovic.

However, this week the 26-year-old Muscovite will lose 250 points earned last year for winning Marseille, and to maintain his lead in the rankings, he needs to reach at least the quarterfinals in Indian Wells, which will bring 180. Thus, the minimum plan for Daniil - to win three matches.

Last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, this “Masters” took place not in the spring, but in the fall, so for now, Medvedev’s crushing defeat in the fourth round from the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov will not affect his rating in any way.

But the victory and the 1000 points that rely on it can significantly strengthen Daniel's position.

The most formidable and uncomfortable rivals - German Alexander Zverev and Spaniard Rafael Nadal - will be in the second part of the grid, and the Russian will be able to meet the fourth racket of the tournament, Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, no earlier than the quarterfinals.

It also plays into the hands of the domestic athlete that Austrian Dominic Thiem will miss tournaments in the USA, who decided not to force a return to the court after an injury.

Djokovic also has no chance to interfere with Daniil: he will not play in the USA due to his refusal to vaccinate against COVID-19.

But the Serbian will not lose points in the coming weeks, because last year he did not play until mid-April due to an injury.

But what is really capable of hindering a Russian is the American public.

The flamboyant tennis player is far from being a favorite in the US, and in light of recent events, he may face fierce pressure from fans.

Although Daniil himself assures that such behavior only encourages him and gives him energy to fight, psychological stamina may not be enough for two tournaments in a row. 

After Indian Wells, Medvedev will have to defend the 180 points earned last year for reaching the quarterfinals of the Masters in Miami.

To do this, he needs to either repeat or improve the result.

However, these points will be removed from the athlete only on April 4, so for another week after the tournament, he will maintain his position in the ranking, even if he leaves the fight earlier.

The next tournament in which Djokovic will be able to actively join the fight for leadership in the rankings is the Masters in Monte Carlo, which starts on April 11.

There he will have to defend 90 points, which is equivalent to reaching the fourth round.

Whether the Serb will be able to show his game after a long break, and even on a clay surface, is a big question.

At a recent tournament in Dubai, he unexpectedly lost in the quarterfinals to the 74th racket of the world, the Czech Jiri Vesela.

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Meanwhile, the competition in Indian Wells will be the first for domestic tennis players, which they will hold in a neutral status.

According to the decision of the ATP, from March 1, the Russians must compete under the flag of the organization.

In this regard, Medvedev even removed the Russian flag badge from his Instagram account, as did Karen Khachanov.

Many fans in the country took the incident negatively, but this was probably one of the demands of the officials.

“Our task is to develop tennis in our countries and around the world, for this we need to play tournaments.

At the moment, the only way to continue is to compete under the ATP flag, and I will follow this rule.

I hope this measure is temporary.

I am waiting for the moment when I can return the flag, ”Medvedev explained his position.

In turn, his agent Lev Kassil emphasized that playing under the ATP flag is a compromise solution, thanks to which Daniil and other tennis players will be able to take part in international tournaments.

“Our Olympians have had a similar situation in recent years.

The agreements reached demonstrate the readiness of the tennis world for dialogue.

This is especially important now against the backdrop of what is happening in other sports, ”the specialist concluded.