Daniil Medvedev broke a near-20-year cycle when he rose to world number one for the first time in 2022.
That year, Medvedev became the first player to clinch the top spot in the rankings outside of the ‘big four’ since 2004.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray took turns as the world number one for 18 years, with the Swiss recording the longest stint: 237 days from 2004 to 2008.
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But in 2022, following his run to the Australian Open final, Medvedev finally reached the top of the mountain, becoming the third from his country to capture number one status after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin.
The 2021 US Open champion has recorded a stellar career so far, but with an ‘ugly game’, says former American player Sam Querrey.
Sam Querrey analyses Daniil Medvedev’s game
As per the ATP Tour website, Querrey said of Medvedev: “He was a great returner. He hit an awkward ball; it was hard to attack against him. He was tall, but played great defence for a tall guy.
“He kind of perfected that, I hate to say, that ugly game that he has. I feel like he put people in really uncomfortable rallies, time and time again.
“His serve was just good. I feel like, though, for a 6’6” guy, we never talk about him as one of the best serves at any given time.
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“He was kind of this taller guy that you talk about the other parts of his game and not his serve. Maybe that’s why he got to No. 1.
“It does seem like a lot of times when you’re talking about the tall guys, you’re always talking about their serve, and they’re not No. 1. Medvedev’s one of these guys that serve’s not the first thing that comes to mind, and he got to No. 1.”
Daniil Medvedev’s results on the ATP Tour this year
After arguably the most disappointing season of his career in 2025, Medvedev has recorded an impressive campaign so far in 2026.
He kicked the year off by winning a title at the Brisbane International, which he followed up by reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open.
Medvedev then suffered early exits in Rotterdam and Doha, but went on to clinch his second title of the season in Dubai.
The 30-year-old made the final in Indian Wells, but then recorded three indifferent campaigns in Miami, Monte-Carlo and Madrid.
- Miami Open – Third round
- Monte-Carlo Masters – Second round
- Madrid Open – Fourth round
Medvedev has since bounced back on the clay, however, and will compete for a spot in the Italian Open final when he faces Jannik Sinner on Friday night in Rome.
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