Rafael Nadal will be year-end world number one, predicts Daniil Medvedev

The World no.1 Daniil Medvedev has predicted that Rafael Nadal will be the new World no.1 at the end of the year. Medvedev feels unless he wins every tournament he plays, the Spaniard will topple from the top of the ATP rankings.

Medvedev currently occupies the numero uno position in the rankings with 7625 rating points while Nadal is currently placed in third place with 6165 points. However, Alexander Zverev (ranked second) is currently out of action due to an ankle injury and Novak Djokovic has also dropped points in the rankings despite his Wimbledon win.

Meanwhile, Nadal has been in sublime form in the recent past and has a 35-3 record in the ongoing season. Nadal recently made it to the semi final of Wimbledon but had to pull due to muscle tear in his abdomen. On the other hand, Medvedev could not take part in the Championships due to the ban on the Russian and Belarusian players after the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“For sure I’m watching [the battle for No. 1] a little bit,” Medvedev told ATPTour.com.

“Depends also the moment because I know at the end of the year, unless I try to win every tournament that is left, it’s probably going to be Rafa [Nadal]. But at the same time, I can keep it for quite a long time. I feel like I play well here in the [North American hard-court swing].”

“I know that the most important thing is to try to win tournaments, try to win those points. Then you can keep [world number one].”

As the Russian could not play at SW19, he had last played an event back in June. The World no.1 will now be seen in action in Los Cabos this week. Medvedev feels it will take him some time to hit the ground running.

“It’s always different, but for sure winning matches is the most important,” Medvedev said.

“Every opponent can be tough, so the more matches you win, the more confidence you gain, the more you start feeling your game better, what you have to do better, so that’s what I’m going to try to do here in Los Cabos.”

Medvedev is the reigning US Open champion and he will look to get back into rhythm before the New York Major.