Novak Djokovic spent a memoir 361 weeks atop the rankings and received eight tour-stage titles, including three Wide Slams, since regaining his top-ranked situation in February, 2020.
Novak Djokovic reacts for the length of his loss to Jiri Vesely in a Dubai Championships match. (Picture: Reuters)
Novak Djokovic suffered a shock 6-4, 7-6(4) defeat by qualifier Jiri Vesely within the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals on Thursday (February 24) and can lose his situation as world number one subsequent week. US Birth champion Daniil Medvedev, who is on the moment taking half in in a match in Mexico, will pass to the discontinue of the rankings on Monday (February 28).
Russian Medvedev will was the first participant diversified than Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Andy Murray to top the rankings since February 1, 2004. Djokovic spent a memoir 361 weeks atop the rankings and received eight tour-stage titles, including three Wide Slams, since regaining his top-ranked situation in February, 2020.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t my day,” Djokovic urged reporters. “I congratulate Jiri. He performed better. He exact went for his photos. His relief became unprecedented. His total sport became unprecedented. I anticipated myself to play on a greater stage, for particular. I mean, I can enact better. However credit ranking to Jiri.”
Playing in his first match since being deported from Australia sooner than the year’s first Wide Slam match, Djokovic misplaced relief within the outlet sport as Vesely matched him stroke for stroke. Djokovic broke support at 1-2 however became never allowed to make your mind up by Vesely, whose sparkling fall photos had his opponent scrambling on the web because the Czech sealed the first region 6-4.
Extraordinary hold! @jiri_vesely pic.twitter.com/RhhJFtsu3M
— Dubai Tennis Champs (@DDFTennis) February 24, 2022
The 20-cases most essential winner started strongly within the 2nd region however Vesely maintained his high stage, racing into an early lead within the tiebreak to clinch his 2nd career victory over Djokovic. Djokovic said he became peaceable hunting for his rhythm.
“The more matches I play, the more assured I will likely be, the more delighted I`ll be feeling on the courtroom,” the 34-year-primitive said.
Vesely said defeating Djokovic became an ‘phenomenal feeling’. “I never in actuality understanding I would possess a chance in opposition to Novak,” Vesely said. “He is one of many greatest of all time. It is mountainous for tennis to possess somebody fresh at world No. 1. Novak is this kind of champion, he has been No. 1 for 361 weeks, however tennis wants fresh world No. 1s and there may perchance be a fresh generation establishing and I possess it’s mountainous.”
(with Reuters inputs)
