Medvedev after getting rocked by Alcaraz in Indian Wells final: “Carlos is deservedly world No 1”

Novak Djokovic’s frequent absences have impacted the ATP rankings, but Daniil Medvedev said there should be no questions asked when it comes to Carlos Alcaraz occupying the top spot.

Daniil Medvedev, Indian Wells 2023 | © Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic

Ricky Dimon

March 20, 2023

Carlos Alcaraz will be back to No 1 in the world on Monday.

And Daniil Medvedev said there should be no controversy about it.

Alcaraz will surpass Novak Djokovic atop the rankings after capturing the BNP Paribas Open title on Sunday evening, a feat the Spaniard accomplished by crushing Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 in a surprisingly lopsided final that lasted only one hour and 10 minutes.

With 1,000 points added to his total, Alcaraz will be 260 ahead of Djokovic.

Of course, Djokovic would have a lot more if ranking points had been awarded at Wimbledon last summer (the Serb triumphed at the All-England Club for what would have been 2,000 points under normal circumstances). Djokovic also missed Indian Wells due to being unable to enter the United States as an unvaccinated foreigner, just as he also couldn’t play the Sunshine Double last year.

Nonetheless, Medvedev doesn’t think there should be any kind of asterisk on Alcaraz’s return to No 1.

Medvedev: Alcaraz is 100 percent the world No 1

“One hundred percent,” the Russian responded when asked if Alcaraz is the true No 1. “It’s for sure unfortunate Novak cannot play all the tournaments, and I’m sure everyone would love to see him play because it’s just good to see Novak play. But it is what it is, you know? If you get injured…[Rafael Nadal] is injured for some time. We also can say, well, ‘if Rafa would not be injured, he would be No 1.’ Well, we cannot know because he’s injured.

“Same about Novak. For sure if he would be able to play last year and this year all the tournaments, there is a possibility that the rankings would be different. But…. But…. There shouldn’t be [any] ‘buts.’

“Carlos is deservedly world No 1. He won more points than everybody else in last 52 weeks, and that’s how rankings work. Yeah, he was also year-end No 1 last year. That’s something I haven’t done, so I’ll try, for sure, in my career.”

Alcaraz now has to try to maintain his No 1 ranking, and it won’t be easy. The 2022 US Open champion also won the Miami Open last season and therefore has 1,000 points to defend at his next tournament. If Alcaraz fails to lift the trophy again, Djokovic will be back on top. The Serb also didn’t play Miami last year.

“It feels great to be back [at] No 1,” Alcaraz assured. “Of course every player on the ATP wants to be No 1, and for me it’s a dream come true again. Obviously being in front of such great players like Novak, like the top players, for me it’s an amazing feeling.”