Novak Djokovic discovers results he needs to avoid Daniil Medvedev stealing No 1 spot

Novak Djokovic's world No 1 ranking is under threat from Daniil Medvedev. The 26-year-old is currently sidelined following a hernia surgery but has few ranking points to defend over the clay season, meaning he could still steal the top spot from the Serb. With Djokovic set to play next week's Serbia Open before the Madrid and Rome Masters, he has learned what he must do to go into his French Open title defence as the world No 1.

Djokovic has three tournaments before the French Open, where he is the defending champion. The world No 1 must accumulate 830 points to stay ahead of Medvedev and keep his ranking safe ahead of the clay-court Grand Slam, where he is then defending a further 2000 points as the reigning champion.

There are several ways the Serb can win at least 830 points and stay ahead of the US Open champion, with the most simple method being deep runs in his next three tournaments. The 34-year-old is playing the Serbia Open in his own Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade next week and can capitalise on his home comforts by winning the title, which would give him 250 points.

If he wins the Serbia Open, he will then need to reach the final of either the Madrid or Rome Masters, meaning he could afford an earlier exit at one of the tournaments like he recently experienced in Monte Carlo, where he crashed out in his opening match to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. By winning one of the Masters 1000 events, Djokovic would also guarantee himself the top spot ahead of the French Open.

JUST IN: Raducanu drops injury hint as Brit drawn into event after BJK Cup loss

A combination of a final at one of the Masters tournaments and a semi-final at the other would also give the Serb 960 points - 600 for the final and 360 for the semis