Amid Russia’s war against Ukraine, Daniil Medvedev becomes first Russian men’s No. 1 after 21 years and calls for ‘peace’

After Novak Djokovic's shock loss in Dubai, 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev will become the new world No. 1 on Monday (February 28).

Daniil Medvedev of Russia reacts after defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in Acapulco, Mexico. (Photo Reuters)

Russian Daniil Medvedev said he wanted to promote peace around the world after a ‘roller-coaster day’ when he was confirmed as the world’s top tennis player and his country invaded Ukraine. US Open champion Medvedev, who took the court in Acapulco, Mexico, hours after Novak Djokovic`s quarter-final loss in Dubai meant the Russian would replace him at the top of the men`s rankings on Monday, said it was not easy watching the news.

“By being a tennis player I want to promote peace all over the world,” the 26-year-old said after reaching the semi-finals at the ATP 500 tournament by defeating Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

Former US Open champion Marat Safin was the last Russian men’s tennis player to hold the No. 1 ranking. Safin held the No. 1 ranking for a total of 9 weeks between November 2000 and April 2001.

In women’s tennis, Maria Sharapova became the world No. 1 for the first time on 22 August 2005, at the age of 18, becoming the first Russian female tennis player to top the singles rankings, and last held the ranking for a fifth time for four weeks from 11 June 2012 to 8 July 2012.

“We play in so many different countries. I’ve been in so many different countries as a junior and as a pro. It’s just not easy to hear all this news. I’m all for peace.”

Medvedev’s compatriot, Andrey Rublev, ranked seventh in the world, paired up with Ukrainian Denys Molchanov to win a doubles title in Marseille last week. “This was amazing because I think people need to stay together and that`s the most important,” Medvedev said, referring to the partnership between Rublev and Molchanov.

“In this moment, you understand that tennis sometimes is not that important,” he said, though adding he wanted to win his match. “It was definitely not easy to play and I am happy that I managed to win the match. That was a little bit of a roller-coaster day.”

1 @DaniilMedwed will be the @atptour number one on Monday

Medvedev becomes 1st No. 1 other than @DjokerNole, @rogerfederer, @RafaelNadal and @Andy_Murray since 1 February 2004. pic.twitter.com/ger2iKNtth — Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) February 24, 2022

Rublev said he was getting some bad comments online because of the situation in Ukraine. “In these moments you realise that my match is not important. It’s not about my match, how it affects me. What’s happening is much more terrible,” Rublev said after his victory over American Mackenzie McDonald at the Dubai Championships late on Thursday.

“You realise how important (it) is to have peace in the world and to respect each other no matter what, to be united. It’s about that. We should take care of our earth and of each other. This is the most important thing.”

(with Reuters inputs)