In 2022, Daniil Medvedev’s reign as World No.1 was transient: 16 weeks cut up into two shifts.
However even when he solely reascends for fast spells, he’ll nonetheless stay a contender for fairly some time.
On April 1, he achieved one other feat when he grew to become the primary participant in 42 years to succeed in 5 ATP finals in 5 weeks.
A couple of folks mocked the stat, with one Twitter person commenting that Medvedev additionally occurs to be probably the most boring participant within the final 42 years. It’s a flimsy assertion by somebody who doesn’t just like the Russian’s recreation and one which shouldn’t ever overshadow his superb consistency.
The streak began on February 26, when he defeated Jannik Sinner to rule over Rotterdam, and he saved the momentum going when he beat Sinner once more on April 2.
It wasn’t the primary time Daniil breezed by means of consecutive tournaments. In 2019, between July 29 and October 13, he battled in six straight finals and lifted three winner’s trophies in lower than 11 weeks.
Again in 2017, Medvedev was within the very first contingent of #NextGenATP gamers: the up-and-comers destined for greatness.
He was within the firm of fellow Russians Karen Khachanov and Andrey Rublev and of Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, Borna Coric, Alex de Minaur, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Hubert Hurkacz, Matteo Berrettini, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. And Denis Shapovalov and Félix Auger-Aliassime, after all.
Learn additionally: Daniil Medvedev continues to impress in Miami
They haven’t all delivered on expectations or stayed the course, however some will possible succeed the place the sooner era failed: by successful Grand Slam titles or turning into World No. 1.
Gamers like Milos Raonic, Gregor Dimitrov, David Goffin, Kei Nishikori, Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem, the youngest of the lot, come to thoughts. Solely Cilic (2014) and Thiem (2020) have a significant of their trophy case.
Learn additionally: First Quarter ATP Report Playing cards
In order that’s 5 finals in as many weeks, along with his six finals in lower than eleven weeks 4 years in the past, for Daniil.
The place does he stand among the many greats within the tennis pantheon? He nonetheless has a methods to go.
The newest—and mindboggling—streak was orchestrated by Novak Djokovic. He began out 2011 with seven straight titles. For 5 and a half months, he was undefeated in 43 matches till Roland-Garros, the place he collided with Roger Federer who went on to win his first and solely Coupe des Mousquetaires.
After that, Nole bought again on the warpath all the way in which to the finals of his subsequent 4 tournaments from which he collected three winner’s trophies.
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He was 70–6 in 2011.
Earlier than Djokovic, Ivan Lendl (1981), Bjorn Borg (1979–1980) and John McEnroe (1984) every gained eight consecutive tournaments. And earlier than them, Chris Evert secured ten straight in 1974.
And the all-time report? It belongs to Martina Navratilova, who gained 13 successive titles between February and November 1984.
With parity being the identify of right now’s recreation, all of them represent examples of consistency and supremacy we’ll most likely by no means see once more.
Listed below are a few of the gamers who’ve gained consecutive titles. Sitting in seventh is Rafa Nadal, who might have gotten forward of Djokovic if the Serb hadn’t brought on the upset in Monte Carlo in 2013. A win would have put the Spaniard at eight straight.
Consecutive titles – WTA and ATP
13: Martina Navratilova (1984)
10: Chris Evert (1974)
8: Bjorn Borg (1979–1980)
8: Ivan Lendl (1981)
8: John McEnroe (1984)
7: Novak Djokovic (2011)
5: Rafael Nadal (2008)
For those who assume these streaks are spectacular, know that, within the final century, Invoice Tilden competed in 52 straight finals (1922–1926).
Tilden additionally holds the report with 19 consecutive titles (1924–1925), which he shares with Anthony Wilding (1914–1915).
Slowly however absolutely, Daniil Medvedev is winding his manner again to No.1.
His 5 finals and 4 titles boosted him from No.12 on February 5 to No.4, so keep watch over him.
He gained’t be extending his streak to 6 finals in as many weeks, although. He’s off till the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, which will get rolling on April 9.
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Citius, Altius, Fortius, or quicker, larger, stronger, as they wish to say on the Olympics.
These three phrases come to thoughts each time I watch a rally that finally ends up making headlines. The newest instance occurred through the Alcaraz vs. Sinner semi on the Miami Open.
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Tennis TV mentioned it finest:
It’s unfair to match eras, however the stage of a few of the matches we’ve seen lately is unprecedented.
Twenty-five pictures and a lot extra.
Formidable forehands and backhands, a drop shot–lob combo by Alcaraz, a dash by Sinner and a dive by the Spaniard that left him splayed out on the court docket, wanting breath and down some extent.
There was even a repeat afterward. A photographer had the nice sense to immortalize Alcaraz’s dive within the prime picture.
Out of this world, certainly.
What’ll they do subsequent?
WHY SIMPLE WHEN IT CAN BE COMPLICATED?
Edison Ambarzumjan is a 26-year-old German tennis participant you’ve by no means heard of.
Learn extra from Paul Rivard.
Since he secured his first and solely ATP level on August 21, he’s hovered between No. 1 750 and No. 1 900. However simply final month, he made headlines when social media bought a glimpse of his racquet with two handles.
After watching the video, you most likely had the identical response as me and as a bunch of different individuals who noticed it too: he doesn’t use the second deal with very a lot. He hits a couple of forehands and two backhands, one in every of which is one-handed.
Both there’s room for enchancment or the racquet doesn’t actually serve a function or sign a tennis revolution.
At finest, it’s a hybrid object that appears extra like hedge shears than a tennis racquet.
Higher luck subsequent time.
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E-mail: privard@tenniscanada.com
Twitter: @paul6rivard
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