Daniil Medvedev sends clear message to Ben Shelton after ATP top 5 return

Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 06:30

Daniil Medvedev has made it clear that returning to the ATP top five is not his main priority, despite achieving the milestone for the first time since the 2025 Australian Open. The Russian has instead turned his attention toward the ATP Race, where he is fighting to secure qualification for the ATP Finals in Turin.

The former US Open champion climbed back into the top five following his run to the semifinals of the Shanghai Masters, where he was defeated by Rafael Jódar. The result marked another significant moment in Medvedev's career, taking his total to 243 weeks inside the ATP top five, the 16th-highest tally in the history of the rankings.

However, with the season approaching its conclusion, Medvedev believes his position in the traditional rankings matters far less than his results in the Race. The 30-year-old currently sits sixth in the standings with 3,420 points, outside the qualification places, and has identified Ben Shelton as a player he needs to catch.

Shelton has already secured his place at the season-ending championships, leaving Medvedev to focus on collecting points across the remaining tournaments. Speaking to Championat, the Russian explained why his return to the top five has not changed his priorities as he attempts to extend his season into November.

Medvedev explains why ATP top 5 return is not his priority

Medvedev made it clear that his return to the top five is secondary to his efforts to qualify for the ATP Finals. With only a handful of tournaments remaining, the Russian is focused on the points he can earn rather than his position in the traditional rankings.

He also acknowledged that catching Shelton will depend on his own results and those of the players around him.

“Honestly, right now it doesn't matter at all in what format all this is happening, because it's already the end of the season," Medvedev said. "I don't care at all whether I finish fourth, fifth or sixth. The most important thing here is the Race and how you finish the season."

ATP Ranking (After Shanghai Masters)

Rank	Player	Age	Pts
1	Jannik Sinner	25	10,950
2	Alexander Zverev	29	10,070
3	Carlos Alcaraz	23	5,610
4	Ben Shelton	24	4,720
5	Daniil Medvedev	30	3,660
6	Flavio Cobolli	24	3,640
7	Félix Auger-Aliassime	26	3,590
8	Alex de Minaur	27	3,430

The Russian added that finishing sixth instead of fifth would make no difference to him at this stage of the campaign. Rather than concentrating on his ranking, he wants to produce the results required to qualify for the ATP Finals, where the eight leading players of the season compete.

“I need to try to catch Shelton,” Medvedev said, referring to the American, who has already qualified for Turin. “Even if I finished sixth this week instead of fifth, it wouldn't make any difference to me."

"Here, I really need to try to catch Shelton. And depending on how you play, you can catch Shelton," the former world No. 1 added. "And, let's say, finishing fifth would be good. But, of course, everyone else will also be playing tournaments, and to do that, they need to play well and get good results."

ATP Race standings: Medvedev faces battle to reach Turin

Medvedev's current position in the ATP Race leaves him with work to do. The qualification cut in the standings provided for this week is 4,145 points, meaning he needs a strong run to close the gap and put himself in contention for one of the remaining places.

Rank	Player	Age	Race points
1	✓ Alexander Zverev	29	9,150	Qualified
2	~~Jannik Sinner~~	25	~~7,950~~	Withdrew
3	✓ Carlos Alcaraz	23	4,600	Qualified
4	✓ Ben Shelton	24	4,480	Qualified
—	ATP Finals qualification cut	—	4,145
5	Flavio Cobolli	24	3,540	Provisional qualification
6	Daniil Medvedev	30	3,420	Provisional qualification
7	Frances Tiafoe	28	3,380	Provisional qualification
8	Arthur Fils	22	3,325	Provisional qualification
9	Rafael Jódar	20	3,159	Provisional qualification
10	Alex de Minaur	27	2,880	Outside qualification places
11	Novak Djokovic	39	2,840	Outside qualification places
12	Tommy Paul	29	2,585	Outside qualification places

Medvedev returns to Almaty as defending champion

The Russian has an immediate opportunity to add to his points tally at the Almaty Open, where he is the top seed and defending champion. He is scheduled to make his debut against Japan's Shintaro Shimabukuro as he looks to build on his encouraging performance in Shanghai.

Medvedev won the Almaty title a year ago after defeating Corentin Moutet in the final, ending a 29-month wait for a trophy. That victory marked a turning point in his season, and he has since enjoyed further success on the ATP Tour.

Over the past year, Medvedev has reached five finals, winning four titles in Almaty, Brisbane, Dubai and Hangzhou. His only defeat in those finals came at Indian Wells, where he finished runner-up.

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His recent results suggest that he remains capable of making a late push toward Turin, but the competition for the remaining qualification places is tight. With several rivals also collecting points, a deep run in Almaty could prove important.

For Medvedev, the objective is straightforward: turn his improved form into victories and secure his place among the eight players who will compete at the ATP Finals. Returning to the top five is a milestone, but as he has made clear, it is not the achievement he is chasing most at this stage of the season.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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