Novak Djokovic has received a boost in his quest to remain as the world No 1 after the French Open, with Daniil Medvedev playing down his chances following an unsuccessful return from hernia surgery. The world No 2 played his first match since March on Tuesday and lost to Richard Gasqet, giving hope to Djokovic in his quest to reach the most weeks at world No 1 in history.
Djokovic is defending 2,000 of his 8,660 ranking points as the reigning French Open champion, while Medvedev is defending 360 points of his 7,980 for reaching the quarter-final last year. It means all the pressure lies with Djokovic, who can only maintain his points with a second-successive title win in Paris while the Russian can add to his tally.
Based on last year’s results, even if the 26-year-old fails to win a match, the world No 1 needs at least 960 points to keep hold of his ranking, so must reach the final. But the Serb has received the filip he needed going into the clay-court Major as Medvedev admitted he had little confidence on the surface after a losing return to the tour.
The 13-time title winner underwent surgery for a small hernia and returned at this week’s Geneva Open, losing to world No 75 Richard Gasquet 6-2 7-6(5), and looking ahead to the French Open he wasn’t confident with so little time to improve. “I don’t play at my highest level on clay. I know I’m able to do some good results like I’ve done in the past, but for something like that I have to be in a rush,” he said after the match.
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