Rafael Nadal news: Spanish wizard says Daniil Medvedev will become No 1

ATP Tour
Daniil Medvedev wipes his face during a match

Rafael Nadal believes that it is just a matter of time before Daniil Medvedev usurps Novak Djokovic as the world’s No 1 tennis player. 

The 26-year-old could potentially reach number one soon depending on how his results go in Acapulco and how those of Djokovic go in Dubai.

Nadal recently beat Medvedev to become the Australian Open Champion and so will have an accurate idea of what he is capable of.

“It’s obvious that sooner or later it’s going to happen,” Nadal told the ATP ahead of his participation in Acapulco.

“Novak [Djokovic] is 34, 35 this year, I am 36, Roger [Federer] is 40,” said the 35-year-old.

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Nadal believes that it is just a matter of time beforethe younger generation starts to dominate the rankings.

“The watch never stops, that’s the circle of life, the younger generation is coming and is going to [overtake us] in the rankings because we can’t afford [to play] a 100% full calendar and because they are very good.

“Daniil [Medvedev] is a very solid player, he is having an amazing career and he deserves to be fighting for number one without a doubt.

“So, I wish him all the best.”

 

It does appear that Djokovic himself knows that he may have to relinquish the number one spot to Medvedev sooner rather than later. He recently said that he will be the first to congratulate Medvedev should the Russian end up usurping him.

“I know that he’s very close and it depends what I do here,” said Djokovic ahead of a Dubai Open pre-match press conference.

“I’m not aware of all the different scenarios but the only scenario I have in my head is to win every match that I play here.

“It’s in his hands but he deserves to be [World] number one.

“Eventually it’s going to happen and if it happens this week I’ll be the first one to congratulate him.”

Daniil Medvedev Rafael Nadal

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