Novak Djokovic is capable of extending his record for holding the men’s world No.1 ranking for most weeks to 400, said Russia’s Daniil Medvedev who will climb up to a career-best ranking of second on Monday.
“First of all, it’s an unbelievable achievement,” Medvedev said after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP 250 event in Marseille on Friday.
“I think in the world of tennis we talk about Grand Slams more than anything else. But this is also a small competition, I’m sure he’s really happy about it. The way he’s played, he’s definitely capable of catching 400 weeks.
ATP Doha
Tsitsipas on Federer: His return brings joy to the players
18 HOURS AGO
We’re going to try to not let him do this. I didn’t manage to do anything in the Australian Open final, but that is what sport is about. Nobody is going to give him an easy pass, he’s going to have to earn it.
Federer, who will turn 40 in August, returned to court this week after 13 months due to double knee surgeries and Medvedev found it “amazing” that the 20-times major winner was still able to win his first match on return.
“I would definitely like to play Roger. He’s one of the three best in tennis history, it’s always great playing him,” Medvedev said, adding “every time you step out on the court against the Big Three, it’s a special feeling”.
The “Big Three” refers to Federer, Rafa Nadal and Djokovic.
Men’s Top 10: The best shots from Australian Open 2021 featuring Djokovic, Kyrgios and Medvedev
Only 11 of the last 68 Grand Slams have been won by players other than the “Big Three” and ATP Finals champion Medvedev has had two shots at pulling off the rare feat.
But he fell in the deciding match on both occasions, losing to Nadal in the 2019 U.S. Open and to Djokovic at Melbourne Park last month.
“As I’ve always said about the Big Three, they are unbelievable. The records they have set (are) probably not going to be beaten maybe in 100 years,” Medvedev said.
“It’s very rare that you see this in sports. I don’t think you can say that other players were not good enough in this era, it’s just that they were unbelievable and there’s nothing for others to be ashamed of.”
Highlights: Djokovic routs Medvedev to seal ninth title in Melbourne
ATP Dubai
Murray pulls out of ATP Dubai after birth of fourth child
A DAY AGO
ATP Doha
Federer return: What did we learn from his Doha comeback?
A DAY AGO