Daniil Medvedev can (almost) make history this week
Daniil Medvedev is at the start in Rotterdam this week - with a place in the finals he could be the new second in the world rankings.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit: Mar 02, 2021, 02:49 pm
Breakthrough news? At first glance, not - after all, there was enough of second in the world rankings. And if there's anything to report in the coming week, it will probably be the new record of Novak Djokovic, who will replace Roger Federer at the top of the world rankings on Monday with most weeks (namely 311).
But Medvedev could also create a milestone, not only from a personal point of view, but also from a tennis history perspective: Should Medvedev take second place in the world rankings, he would be the first outside of the "Big Four" to succeed again after a long time. Because since July 25, 2005 Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic or Andy Murray have always been in second place in the ATP ranking.
And do you remember who was the last second in the world rankings before?
Rafael Nadal and the world number two series
As the elderly of you will remember, it was actually Lleyton Hewitt . The now 40-year-old Australian had experienced a second spring with the finals at the US Open 2004 and the Australian Open 2005 (he celebrated his two Grand Slam victories at the US Open in 2001 and at Wimbledon in 2002, world number one he was 2001 to 2003) and played himself in second place in the ranking, behind Roger Federer.
Then came: Rafa Nadal. The Spaniard won his first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 2005, and at the beginning of 2005 he was 51st. And from July 25, 2005 should secure the second world rankings for a long time (until he took over the top for the first time on August 18, 2008).
# IMG2 #
Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray followed, and all participants in the Big Four then took turns on the top world rankings.
Current: Rafael Nadal is second in the world rankings again. Should Medvedev make it to the Rotterdam final , he would replace him - and a circle would come full circle.