ATP Rankings: Medvedev occupies career-best second spot; presenting his journey
What's the story
Daniil Medvedev has climbed to a career-best number two position in the ATP Rankings. He has become the first man other than the 'Big 4'; Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray to hold either of the top two spots in over 15 years. The 25-year-old achieved the milestone after winning the Open 13 tournament in Marseille, claiming his 10th career title.
History
Medvedev attains this history feat
It is interesting to note that Lleyton Hewitt was the last man outside the Big 4 to occupy the first or second spot. He ranked second in July 2005, behind Swiss maestro Roger Federer. Since Hewitt's recent stay at number two, the spot had been held for 368 weeks by Nadal. However, Medvedev has now displaced Nadal to take the second spot.
Breakthrough
A breakthrough year for Medvedev
After bursting on to professional circuit in 2015/16, Medvedev reached his first ATP singles final in 2017, though he lost to Roberto Bautista Agut. As a result, he jumped 34 positions from 99 to 65 in the ATP Rankings. He also registered his maiden Grand Slam match win at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships, having defeated fifth seed Stan Wawrinka.
2018
First ATP title, maiden Grand Slam match win
Medvedev started 2018 by winning the Sydney International, having defeated Australia's Alex de Minaur in the final. Notably, this was was the youngest ATP Tour tournament final since 2007. He finished the season with most hard-court match wins of any player on the ATP Tour (38 wins). He also claimed joint-most titles on hard court tournaments (3), with Federer, Djokovic and Karen Khachanov.
2019
He scaled further heights in 2019
In 2019, Medvedev reached his first Grand Slam final. However, he was defeated by Nadal in a high-octane final five-set final. By the end of 2019, Medvedev led the ATP Tour wins (59). He impressed with a 29-3 record, that included six straight finals and his first ATP Masters 1000 crown. Notably, he became the highest-ranked Russian (fourth) since Nikolay Davydenko (2008).
2020
Medvedev won the Nitto ATP Finals
Medvedev carried this momentum into 2020 as well. He secured wins in his last 10 matches of the year, including seven Top 10 victories. The 25-year-old then became the undefeated champion at the Nitto ATP Finals. En route to the title, he defeated Djokovic, Nadal and Thiem, becoming the first player to sweep the Top 3 in a single edition of the season finale.
2021
Medvedev is cruising with a 14-2 record in 2021
In February 2021, Medvedev helped Russia win the ATP Cup title. He then reached the second major final of his career at the Australian Open. However, he finished as the runner-up, losing to top-ranked Djokovic in the final. As of now, the Russian base-liner owns a 14-2 record in 2021, and has won 23 of his last 25 matches, besides achieving the top spot.