Daniil Medvedev is undeterred by his removal from the top of the Pepperstone ATP rankings as he seeks to end the season on a high.
Medvedev, who won his maiden Grand Slam title last year, was dethroned from the top of the standings by Spanish rising star Carlos Alcvaraz who has become the youngest world No.1 in ATP history following his triumph at the US Open. Meanwhile Medvedev, who lost to Nick Kyrgios in the last 16 of the New York major, has dropped down to fourth position. Ahead of him are rivals Casper Ruud and Rafael Nadal.
Despite his recent drop in the rankings, the Russian appears to be unscathed by recent events. Speaking to reporters ahead of the Moselle Open in France this week, he said he ‘didn’t feel much’ about being dethroned from the top. So far in his career, he has held the No.1 spot for 16 weeks which is a longer period than Andy Roddick (13 weeks), Boris Becker (12 weeks) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (eight weeks).
“To be honest, I didn’t feel much when I lost the No. 1 spot,” Medvedev was quoted by Eurosport as saying. “The ranking is the consequence of your results and if we take the American summer, for example, I did not take enough points to stay No. 1, or even No. 2 or 3.
“Whereas Casper, Carlos, Rafa, [Nadal] of course, with the two Grand Slams he won at the start of the year, they took a lot more points. So, it’s just logical.
“I have no feelings about it, no reason to cry. I can only tell myself that I have to do better if I want to find this place in the future.”
So far this season, Medvedev has registered 37 wins on the Tour against 13 losses. He won his 14th ATP title at the Los Cabos Open in August. However, he currently has a negative record when playing top 10 players of 3-4.
Whilst there are no more Grand Slam events remaining, the 26-year-old still has a fair amount of points to defend at both the Paris Masters and ATP Finals. Two events in which he finished runner-up in 2021.
“It’s a very important part of the season for me. I really like playing indoors, so I only find positives in this part of the season,” said Medvedev, who has won six ATP indoor tournaments in his career.
“Indoor is very different, you always have to adapt. Paris and the ATP Finals are obviously the biggest [events].
“I will play three tournaments before Paris. I have great motivation. Of course, there is no Grand Slam ahead and it’s the only time in the season where you play tournaments without a Slam coming.
“But next year, the Australian Open will come very fast after the end of the season. So it’s important to gain confidence at the end of the year.
“It’s the best way to prepare for next season and especially the Australian Open. It’s important for me to take a lot of points indoors to be seeded as high as possible in Melbourne.”
The hope for Medvedev is if he produces a strong end of the season, he will edge closer back to the No.1 position. Although this will depend on the results of his rivals as well.
“With all the tournaments I will play, I can take as much as 3750 points. Of course, it will be almost impossible to reach that, but 2500, 3000, why not? It would be cool to end the year that way,” he continued.
“If I manage to collect a lot of points, then, maybe, I’ll have a chance to regain the No. 1 spot in the coming year.”
Medvedev is one of two top 10 players playing in this week’s Moselle Open along with Hubert Hurkacz.
