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Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev are undoubtedly the two MVPs of the 2021 season, at least until now. The number 1 in the world has won three Grand Slams, in addition to having touched the legendary 'Calendar Grand Slam'
The Serbian phenomenon had arrived in New York with enormous pressure on his shoulders, a factor that played a bad joke on him one step away from the finish line. After struggling more than expected on his way to the last act, the 34-year-old from Belgrade crashed to a flawless Medvedev.
The Russian prevented him from becoming the second man in the Open Era to win all four majors in the same year. Nole also had to postpone overtaking eternal rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam standings.
Daniil instead posted his first US Open, redeeming the heavy blow he suffered in the final at the Australian Open at the beginning of the year. Interviewed by 'AFP' after dismissing Krajinovic in Indian Wells, Medvedev said Djokovic deserves to occupy the top position in the ATP rankings.
Medvedev opens up on Djokovic
“Since I was six years old, I have dreamed of being world number one, but Novak Djokovic deserves to be, he is the real number one this season. He won three Grand Slam titles. It's reality.
This is one of my goals. I just need to win a hell of a lot of Grand Slam games and tournaments," said Daniil Medvedev who knows exactly what to do next. Even at the post-match presentation in New York, Medvedev praised the Serb and mentioned that he considers him to be the greatest of all time.
However, Medvedev winning Indian Wells alone isn’t going to be enough as he will have to defend last year’s championship points from Paris Masters as well as at the ATP World Tour Finals. If the Russian manages to go past Hurkacz or Karatsev, he will most likely face Andrey Rublev in the semis and even this encounter promises to be an enthralling one.
Stefanos Tsitsipas or Alexander Zverev are the likeliest finalists who would be up against Medvedev. Five-time champion Novak Djokovic is on the entry list for the 2021 Paris Masters, which is scheduled to begin on 1 November.
Djokovic, who skipped the ongoing Indian Wells Masters, is slated to lead the field in Paris as the top seed. If he goes ahead with his participation, Novak Djokovic would have an opportunity to strengthen his hold on the year-ending top spot.