Daniil Medvedev will wrap up the season in the top-5 for the fifth time in the previous six years. However, the Russian extended his good year-end no. 1 streak without winning a single ATP title this season, a feat he did not expect at the beginning of 2024!
Thus, Medvedev became the first year-end top-5 player without a title since Jimmy Connors 37 years ago! The American reached three finals and seven more semi-finals in 1987, producing consistent results at 35 but failing to make an extra step and lift a trophy.
Jimmy Connors’ 1987 run
Connors claimed ATP titles between 1972 and 1984. His streak ended in 1985, and he could not change that in the next two years. The veteran had notable results in 1987, finishing inside the top-5 but failing to lift a trophy. Jimmy was 52-19 that year, losing ten of 11 matches versus the top-10 rivals.
The American started the season in Philadelphia in February reached the final a week later in Memphis, retiring against Stefan Edberg in the second set. Connors played well at the strong Key Biscayne event, winning five best-of-five matches before falling to Ivan Lendl in the semi-final.
He was the finalist in Orlando in March, losing to Christo Van Rensburg in three sets. The veteran advanced to the last eight at Roland Garros, with Boris Becker beating him in straight sets. They met a few weeks later in the Queen’s final, and the German prevailed 6-7, 6-3, 6-4.
Keeping his good run, Connors embraced the Wimbledon semi-final, facing the eventual champion Pat Cash and losing in straight sets. His nemesis Ivan Lendl halted him in the semi-final in Washington and Montreal, preventing him from chasing the trophy.
Jimmy faced Stefan Edberg in the Cincinnati semi-final, taking only five games and bouncing back at the US Open. The home favorite played well en route to the semi-final, facing Ivan Lendl again and failing to take a set. The American competed in Tel Aviv in October.
Connors reached the semi-final for the seventh time in the previous eight tournaments before losing to Amos Mansdorf. The 35-year-old qualified for the ATP Finals and suffered losses to Ivan Lendl, Brad Gilbert and Boris Becker.
Daniil Medvedev’s close-but-not-enough season
Daniil Medvedev claimed multiple ATP titles in six seasons between 2018 and 2023. He played consistent tennis in the first part of the year and notched another year-end top-5 finish. The Russian’s streak ended this season despite a 46-21 run, including six top-10 victories.
Daniil reached two finals in the early part of the season and added four more semi-finals, missing the decisive moves in pivotal duels. Medvedev could have prevented this story already in Melbourne in January. The Russian reached the Australian Open final and faced Jannik Sinner.
Daniil built two sets to love advantage. However, like against Rafael Nadal in 2022, he experienced a massive blow and fell in five sets, extending his poor run in the Major finals. Medvedev fell in the Dubai semi-final and played well in Indian Wells, notching his second final of the season.
Carlos Alcaraz prevailed in the opener and stood strong in set number two en route to a trophy, leaving Daniil empty handed. The Russian reached the Miami Masters semi-final and took three games against Jannik Sinner. Medvedev did not play well on clay, collecting one quarter-final in Madrid.
He bounced back at Wimbledon, ousting two top-10 rivals, including Jannik Sinner in a five-setter. Daniil grabbed the opener against Carlos Alcaraz before falling in