Daniil Medvedev targets Rafael Nadal's ranking spot in Rotterdam

The 20-time Major champion Rafael Nadal has decided to withdraw from the next week's ATP 500 event in Rotterdam due to a back injury, leaving Daniil Medvedev as the top seed.

An in-form Russian will seek the first singles ATP title of the season following the ATP Cup crown for Russia, winning 20 of the previous 21 matches and earning enough points to pass Dominic Thiem and become world no. 3 after the Australian Open. The Russian reached the Melbourne final and failed to claim the first Major title, losing to Novak Djokovic 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in an hour and 53 minutes.

Gathering 4200 points in the previous four tournaments, Daniil is ready to enter the top-2 for the first time in a career and only as the fifth active player. The Russian will pass Rafael Nadal and join Novak Djokovic in the top-2 if he reaches the Rotterdam final.