Tennis: Daniil Medvedev takes over first place in the world rankings from Novak Djokovic

Enlarge image

Daniel Medvedev

Photo: DAVE HUNT / imago images/AAP

US Open champion Daniil Medvedev has taken the lead in the world tennis rankings for the first time in his career.

The 26-year-old replaced Serbian Novak Djoković as number one despite his semi-final exit at the ATP tournament in Acapulco last week.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner had led the world rankings for a total of 361 weeks, around seven years, setting a record.

"He deserves to be number one," said Djokovic last week at the tournament in Dubai, where he was eliminated early.

Before that, the Serb, who was not vaccinated against the corona virus, was not allowed to defend his title at the Australian Open and lost many points.

After Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin, also decorated with Grand Slam titles, Medvedev is the third Russian professional to top the world rankings and 27th overall.

Behind the two top players in third position is Olympic champion Alexander Zverev from Hamburg, who was disqualified in Acapulco as the defending champion because of a freak out.

Medvedev wishes for peace in the world, but does not mention the war in Ukraine

The new number one in world tennis used the moment for a message of peace.

On behalf of all children and their dreams, Medvedev campaigned for peace in the world and between countries.

Medvedev did not mention the Russian invasion of Ukraine in his message on Instagram.

The 26-year-old Muscovite ascended to the throne at a difficult time.

In view of the Russian attack on Ukraine, decisions and efforts to no longer compete against Russian teams and to exclude athletes from events are increasing.

So far there have been no demands in professional tennis to ban Russian professionals like Medvedev or Andrei Rublev, sixth in the world rankings.

“We play in so many different countries, I was in so many different countries as a junior and as a professional.

It's not easy to hear all this news," Medvedev said at the tournament in Acapulco last week.

"Waking up here in Mexico and seeing the news from home wasn't easy."

see/dpa