Daniil Medvedev lost to Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday in the Miami Open. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Daniil Medvedev loses in Miami Open, misses chance at No. 1 ranking

By Adam Stites | Last updated 3/31/22

Daniil Medvedev would've returned to the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings had he beat Hubert Hurkacz on Thursday in the Miami Open quarterfinals. Instead, he was eliminated from the tournament with a 7-6, 6-3 loss to the Polish player.

Medvedev, 26, reached the top spot in the rankings in February after reaching the semifinals of the Mexican Open, although he lost to Rafael Nadal. It was his second loss to Nadal in a month after losing to him in a five-set battle in January. On Thursday, he suggested to viewers that "garbage" tennis balls were the reason for his struggles against Hurkacz.

'Never ever advise anybody to buy this ball, it's a piece of garbage, you're just gonna lose your money'

Medvedev, looking straight into camera on the changeover pic.twitter.com/vlejeRJYK9
— Oleg S. (@AnnaK_4ever) March 31, 2022

Earlier this month, Medvedev lost his No. 1 ranking with a third-round loss to Gael Monfils at the Indian Wells Masters.

Novak Djokovic has managed to climb back to the top spot and still holds it, despite relative inactivity due to his vaccination status. Djokovic was not allowed to participate in the Australian Open because he's not vaccinated against COVID-19, and he was forced to withdraw from the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open, as well.

Hurkacz, 25, is currently ranked tenth.

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