Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Feb 25: Daniil Medvedev advanced to the round of 16 at the Dubai Tennis Championships on Tuesday but used the occasion to urge tennis authorities to reconsider how ranking points are distributed in order to reduce player workload.
A week after defeating China’s Shang Juncheng in Doha, the 11th-ranked Russian once again got the better of his opponent, sealing a commanding 6-1, 6-3 win in his opening match of the ATP 500 event in the UAE.
Following the victory, the 2021 US Open champion suggested that while more tournaments could be made mandatory, ranking points should be limited to Grand Slams and Masters-level events to ease pressure on players.
“I would think the players would agree, from what I'm hearing, to making even more mandatory tournaments,” Medvedev said.
“I would say make four Grand Slams, I don't know, 11 Masters, and that’s it. The other tournaments (500- and 250-level events), maybe make them without points or something.”
Medvedev argued that the relentless chase for ranking points — particularly to qualify for the prestigious year-end ATP Finals in Turin — often forces players to overextend themselves, sometimes at the cost of their health.
He cited Denmark’s Holger Rune, who suffered an injury in Stockholm last year, as an example of how players feel compelled to compete even in non-mandatory tournaments to stay in contention for the top eight.
“Last year, I played in seven tournaments in a row. Did I have to? No. I played bad in the beginning of the year, maybe I can get 100 points here, 200 points here, be higher seeded next year,” Medvedev explained, adding that removing points from smaller events would make scheduling decisions easier — though he admitted such a change is unlikely.
Up next, Medvedev faces fellow former Grand Slam champion Stanislas Wawrinka in the last 16.
Elsewhere in Dubai, second seed Alexander Bublik defeated lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-4. Former world number three Stefanos Tsitsipas was knocked out in straight sets by Ugo Humbert, while Jiri Lehecka battled past Luca Nardi 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.
Rising Czech talent Jakub Mensik also impressed, overcoming Hubert Hurkacz 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) to book his place in the round of 16.