USATSI
During the final two decades, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have dominated professional men’s tennis at a historic level. Now, another player is joining that exclusive group. Daniil Medvedev earned a career-best No. 2 spot in the ATP rankings when they were released on Monday. That makes Medvedev the first man other than Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, or Andy Murray to hold either of the top two spots in the rankings since 2005, according to the Associated Press.
The latest man outdoor of those “Big 4” to seem at No. 1 or No. 2 in the rankings was once Lleyton Hewitt, who in July 2005 was once ranked at the back of only Federer.
It has taken over 15 years, but now Medvedev has made history by approaching the very top of the ATP rankings. The Russian tennis star was once prior to now No. 3 in the ATP rankings until he won the Open 13 tournament in France on Sunday, which marked his 10th career title. Medvedev has still never won a Grand Slam, but has reached the finals of them twice. He missing to Djokovic in the Australian Open last in February and fell to Nadal in the 2019 US Open last.
Following Hewitt’s No. 2 ranking back in 2005, the second one spot was once held by Nadal for 368 weeks, Federer for 203 weeks, Djokovic for 144 weeks and Murray for 41 weeks.
Djokovic continues to hold a firm grasp on the top spot, as he is enjoying his record 312th week at No. 1.