There are few players who have enjoyed the level of success that Novak Djokovic has, especially over the last two decades. The 39-year-old Serbian is still playing tennis after turning pro in 2003, and although on the back end of his career, he is still playing pretty close to elite-level tennis.
Of course, when any player nears the end of their tennis career, setbacks become more common than in earlier days, and Djokovic is experiencing something right now that, while not necessarily a setback, is a development the 23 Grand Slam-winning champion hasn't experienced in four years.
It's been a long while since Djokovic has not been in the top-five ATP rankings, but certain developments over the course of this season are taking their toll on Djokovic's place with the other top players on tour. So, what about those four years? Well, it's been that long since Djokovic has tumbled this far down the rankings.
Novak Djokovic drops to No. 8 in the ATP rankings thanks to movement by Daniil Medvedev
Djokovic hasn't sat this low in the ATP rankings in four years, and he may yet drop even further before the summer concludes if things don't land his way. Daniil Medvedev is the reason Djokovic drops to the eighth seed in the rankings, after the Russian moved up one spot to the seventh seed.
Medvedev's one-spot rise might be short-lived, though, considering he is defending points from reaching the final in Halle last year, and that event is set to begin this week. With that in play, Djokovic could retake his seventh spot, and Medvedev would drop.
Nevertheless, Djokovic is wading in unfamiliar waters, which he has not experienced in a long time. What's different this time compared to four years ago is that he was also four years younger then, and Djokovic isn't getting any younger or faster.
Despite the fact that he's still playing great tennis, his even track record this season shows many more early-tournament losses than later ones, which could point to the possibility that Djokovic truly is losing ground and that there may not be much ground left for him to cover in the future.
As far as his immediate future is concerned, Djokovic's rankings drop could also affect his place at Wimbledon at the end of June. Due to Carlos Alcaraz's official unavailability for the year's third Grand Slam, Djokovic will be a top-eight seed, no matter what happens between now and then.
So what's on the line for Djokovic in London? That elusive 25th Grand Slam, and this next one might be his best and the closest to his final opportunity to get No. 25. Due to his rankings drop, his path at Wimbledon will be tougher, but there are few players who can never be counted out; Djokovic is at the top of that list.
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