Novak Djokovic suffered a shock 6-4 7-6(4) defeat by qualifier Jiri Vesely in the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals on Thursday and will lose his status as world number one next week. U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who is currently playing in a tournament in Mexico, will move to the top of the rankings on Monday.

Russian Medvedev will become the first player other than Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Andy Murray to top the rankings since Feb. 1, 2004. Djokovic spent a record 361 weeks atop the rankings and won eight tour-level titles, including three Grand Slams, since regaining his top-ranked status in February, 2020.

"Unfortunately, it wasn`t my day," Djokovic told reporters. "I congratulate Jiri. He played better. He just went for his shots. His serve was big. His whole game was big.

"I expected myself to play on a higher level, for sure. I mean, I can do better. But credit to Jiri."

Playing in his first event since being deported from Australia ahead of the year`s first Grand Slam tournament, Djokovic lost serve in the opening game as Vesely matched him stroke for stroke.

Djokovic broke back at 1-2 but was never allowed to settle by Vesely, whose clever drop shots had his opponent scrambling at the net as the Czech sealed the first set 6-4.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mexican-open-alexander-zverev-deserved-to-be-thrown-out-for-umpire-abuse-says-rafael-nadal-456098">Mexican Open: Alexander Zverev deserved to be thrown out for umpire abuse, says Rafael Nadal</a>

The 20-times major winner started strongly in the second set but Vesely maintained his high level, racing into an early lead in the tiebreak to clinch his second career victory over Djokovic. Djokovic said he was still trying to find his rhythm.

"The more matches I play, the more confident I will be, the more comfortable I`ll be feeling on the court," the 34-year-old said.

Vesely said defeating Djokovic was an "amazing feeling".

"I never really thought I would have a chance against Novak," Vesely said. "He is one of the greatest of all time.

"It is great for tennis to have someone new at world No. 1. Novak is such a champion, he has been No. 1 for 361 weeks, but tennis needs new world No. 1s and there is a new generation coming up and I think it is great."

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock 6-4 7-6(4) defeat by qualifier Jiri Vesely in the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals on Thursday and will lose his status as world number one next week.

Novak Djokovic suffered a shock 6-4 7-6(4) defeat by qualifier Jiri Vesely in the Dubai Tennis Championships quarter-finals on Thursday and will lose his status as world number one next week. U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev, who is currently playing in a tournament in Mexico, will move to the top of the rankings on Monday. Russian Medvedev will become the first player other than Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal or Andy Murray to top the rankings since Feb. 1, 2004. Djokovic spent a record 361 weeks atop the rankings and won eight tour-level titles, including three Grand Slams, since regaining his top-ranked status in February, 2020. "Unfortunately, it wasn`t my day," Djokovic told reporters. "I congratulate Jiri. He played better. He just went for his shots. His serve was big. His whole game was big. "I expected myself to play on a higher level, for sure. I mean, I can do better. But credit to Jiri." Playing in his first event since being deported from Australia ahead of the year`s first Grand Slam tournament, Djokovic lost serve in the opening game as Vesely matched him stroke for stroke. Djokovic broke back at 1-2 but was never allowed to settle by Vesely, whose clever drop shots had his opponent scrambling at the net as the Czech sealed the first set 6-4. Also Read: Mexican Open: Alexander Zverev deserved to be thrown out for umpire abuse, says Rafael Nadal The 20-times major winner started strongly in the second set but Vesely maintained his high level, racing into an early lead in the tiebreak to clinch his second career victory over Djokovic. Djokovic said he was still trying to find his rhythm. "The more matches I play, the more confident I will be, the more comfortable I`ll be feeling on the court," the 34-year-old said. Vesely said defeating Djokovic was an "amazing feeling". "I never really thought I would have a chance against Novak," Vesely said. "He is one of the greatest of all time. "It is great for tennis to have someone new at world No. 1. Novak is such a champion, he has been No. 1 for 361 weeks, but tennis needs new world No. 1s and there is a new generation coming up and I think it is great."

Novak Djokovic to lose world number one ranking to Daniil Medvedev after shock defeat against Jiri Vesely

Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev suffered shock first-round defeats at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-novak-djokovic-sweeps-through-under-keen-gaze-of-ivanisevic-232118">Wimbledon </a>on Monday as the sixth and seventh seeds were bundled out within an hour of each other.

Greek Tsitsipas entered the tournament tipped as the man most likely to challenge the authority of the big three but was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3 by 89th-ranked Italian Thomas Fabbiano who produced an inspired display on Court Two.

Tsitsipas saved two match points in the fourth-set tiebreak but Fabbiano was relentless and when he broke in the seventh game of the decider with a cruel net cord, it was clear it was not going to be Tsitsipas's day.

"I wouldn't actually deserve the victory today even if I would have won because I didn't play well," the 20-year-old, who reached this year's Australian Open semi-final after beating Roger Federer, told reporters.

He found himself in good company through the exit door though as Germany's Zverev ran into Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely and was also sent packing, losing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.

The 22-year-old seemed on course for victory when he won the first set but the powerfully-built Vesely roared back.

Zverev, coached by Ivan Lendl, slipped when serving at 5-6, 15-30 in the fourth set, handing his opponent two match points, and netted a backhand volley to seal his fate.

"It was kind of a typical <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wimbledon-stan-wawrinka-means-business-as-he-opens-with-easy-victory-232095">Grand Slam</a> match for me. I started off well, then one or two things don't go my way, and everything kind of a little bit falls apart," he said.

Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev suffered shock first-round defeats at Wimbledon on Monday as the sixth and seventh seeds were bundled out within an hour of each other.

Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev suffered shock first-round defeats at Wimbledon on Monday as the sixth and seventh seeds were bundled out within an hour of each other. Greek Tsitsipas entered the tournament tipped as the man most likely to challenge the authority of the big three but was beaten 6-4, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7(8), 6-3 by 89th-ranked Italian Thomas Fabbiano who produced an inspired display on Court Two. Tsitsipas saved two match points in the fourth-set tiebreak but Fabbiano was relentless and when he broke in the seventh game of the decider with a cruel net cord, it was clear it was not going to be Tsitsipas's day. "I wouldn't actually deserve the victory today even if I would have won because I didn't play well," the 20-year-old, who reached this year's Australian Open semi-final after beating Roger Federer, told reporters. He found himself in good company through the exit door though as Germany's Zverev ran into Czech qualifier Jiri Vesely and was also sent packing, losing 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. The 22-year-old seemed on course for victory when he won the first set but the powerfully-built Vesely roared back. Zverev, coached by Ivan Lendl, slipped when serving at 5-6, 15-30 in the fourth set, handing his opponent two match points, and netted a backhand volley to seal his fate. "It was kind of a typical Grand Slam match for me. I started off well, then one or two things don't go my way, and everything kind of a little bit falls apart," he said.

Wimbledon: Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev suffer shock exits

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Novak Djokovic to lose world number one ranking to Daniil Medvedev after shock defeat against Jiri Vesely

Wimbledon: Young guns Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev suffer shock exits