Daniil Medvedev to be sidelined for up to 2 months due to hernia surgery

Daniil Medvedev stunned his fans by announcing via a tweet that he would be out of action for the next one to two months owing to a hernia that needs surgery.

The Russian, who briefly ended Novak Djokovic's reign at the top of the ATP rankings, failed to regain the coveted spot when he lost to Hubert Hurkacz in the quarterfinals of the Miami Open on Thursday.

Medvedev in action at Roland Garros in 2021

The 26-year-old, who won the US Open last year, struggled against the Pole during the course of their encounter in Miami and was reported to have suffered bouts of dizziness and fatigue during the match.

Daniil Medvedev was stretched against a similarly inspired Hurkacz while defending his ATP Finals title last November and managed to emerge victorious in Turin. However, he was outplayed on this occasion by the Pole, who looked imposing in their quarter-final clash.

The Russian took to social media to announce he will have a "small procedure" to fix his hernia which will keep him out for a few weeks, thereby ruling him out of the Monte-Carlo Masters and casting doubt over his participation in the French Open.

"Hi everyone. The last months I have been playing with a small hernia. Together with my team I have decided to have a small procedure done to fix the problem. I will likely be out for the next 1 - 2 months and will work hard to be back on court soon. Thanks for all the support," Daniil Medvedev said.

Daniil Medvedev made it to the quarterfinals at Roland Garros last year where he lost to Stefanos Tsisipas of Greece.

Novak Djokovic set to return just as Daniil Medvedev announces break from action

Fans who might have been looking forward to more classics between the top three players in world tennis will now have to wait a while before the World No. 2 hits the courts again.

Meanwhile, Djokovic, who regained his World No. 1 position after the Russian failed to reach the semifinals in Miami, has confirmed his participation in the Monte-Carlo Masters and should not have any issues making it to Roland Garros after missing out on the Australian Open.

The French Open begins on May 22, and going by the tweet put out by Medvedev, it is quite unlikely that he will be fit in time to travel to Paris.

Medvedev will now have his work cut out for him in chasing the World No. 1 ranking as Djokovic returns to the tour. However, with Djokovic defending lots of points, it will remain to be seen who will end the clay season as number 1.