Fight for the 1: Daniil Medvedev can pass Novak Djokovic this week
The ATP 500 tournaments in Dubai and Acapulco this week are not just about winning the tournament. But also about a possible changing of the guard at the top: Because Daniil Medvedev has the chance to pass Novak Djokovic for the first time.
by Florian Goosmann
last edit:
Feb 21, 2022, 02:36 pm

Novak Djokovic is currently entering his 361st week as the world number one - an absolute record on the ATP tour. Djokovic had replaced Federer (310 weeks) a long time ago and stayed at the top. Now, however, things could get critical.
Because Djokovic's Australian Open points from the previous year were deducted today , he currently has 8,875 points, Daniil Medvedev as a pursuer has 8,435 points.
Djokovic has a full 500 points to defend from his win in Dubai last year, Medvedev none this week. Means: The Djoker is under pressure to continue to secure his place in the sun.
Djokovic in Dubai, Medvedev in Acapulco
Both are in a long-distance duel: while Djokovic is serving in Dubai , Medvedev is at the start of the parallel tournament in Acapulco , where 500 points are also at stake.
The problem for Djokovic: he is not in control of staying at the top. Even if he were to win in Dubai, Medvedev would replace him with a tournament win in Acapulco. Because while Djokovic can only keep his 8,875 points, Medvedev would pull away to 8,935 points.
The other scenarios: Should Djokovic already lose in round 1 or 2, Medvedev would be the new number 1 regardless of his own performance.
If Djokovic loses in the quarterfinals, Medvedev is enough to enter round 2.
If Djokovic is eliminated in the semifinals, Medvedev needs a quarterfinals.
And if Djokovic is subject to a possible endgame, Medvedev would be the new number 1 with a place in the final.
Djokovic and Medvedev in a long-distance duel for number 1
So Medvedev has a good chance of becoming the 27th number 1 in the ATP world rankings. However, the competition is tough: Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Rafael Nadal are also at the start in Acapulco.
Djokovic has to compete with Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner and Hubert Hurkacz in Dubai.
At the start, the Djoker meets Lorenzo Musetti , and that already on Monday from 5.30 p.m.
Medvedev has to play against Benoit Paire, but only on Tuesday.