Medvedev returns to number one

Daniil Medvedev

REUTERS: Russian Daniil Medvedev returned for a second stint as the men’s world number one on Monday, replacing Novak Djokovic at the top of the world rankings.

German Alexander Zverev rose to a career-high second spot with Djokovic slipping to third following his defeat to Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the French Open, which the Serb won last year.

It was the first time since November 2003, that none of Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray appeared in the top two rankings spots in the men’s game.

Medvedev, 26, won his maiden major title at last year’s US Open and also reached the 2022 Australian Open final. He was glad that his rise to the top spot was “step by step”.

“The number one is really tough because that’s where you need to be consistent throughout 52 weeks,” Medvedev, who lost to Dutch wildcard Tim van Rijthoven in the final of the ATP 250 event in Netherlands on Sunday, told the ATP.