Djokovic loses world No 1 ranking to Medvedev after Dubai shock

Novak Djokovic lost his Dubai quarter-final and his world No 1 number one ranking in one go on Thursday as he suffered a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) upset at the hands of Czech world No 123 Jiri Vesely.

Competing in his first tournament of the season, and first since getting deported from Australia, Djokovic needed to at least reach the semi-finals in the Emirates to try and stop Daniil Medvedev from replacing him at the top of the rankings.

But Vesely had other ideas as the left-handed qualifier improved his career record against Djokovic to 2-0, a result that will see Medvedev become the first man since 2004 outside the "Big Four" - Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray - to occupy the number one ranking on Monday.

Djokovic, who has spent a record 361 weeks as the world number one, said at the start of the tournament that he "would be the first to congratulate" Medvedev, if the Russian succeeded in his quest for the summit.

US Open champion Medvedev, currently involved in the Acapulco tournament, becomes the third Russian man after Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Marat Safin to ascend to the world number one spot.

"I'm lacking a little bit of the match play. You can see that. I'm still finding the groove on the court," admitted Djokovic.

The 34-year-old also fears not being able to recapture the rhythm of matches, because his vaccination status could prevent him from competing consistently, is a concern.

"It is. The more matches I play, the more comfortable I get on the court," said Djokovic, who currently cannot enter the United States for next month's Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami.

"I need the match play. I didn't have many matches at all last few months. Let's see."

Vesely, a former junior number one, has won