Daniil Medvedev expressed that he is delighted to face Rafael Nadal on his return as he had less success against the Spaniard in the past.
Daniil Medvedev has faced Nadal six times on the Tour and has managed to win only once. His only win came at the semifinal of the Nitto ATP Finals in 2020 where he won 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-3.
Novak Djokovic, you’ve made it 🏆@DjokerNole defeats Daniil Medvedev in straight sets to win his 4th #USOpen title 🙌
— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 10, 2023
🎥 @usopen
pic.twitter.com/xGUV1zVX9k
They have met twice at the Grand Slams and that too at the finals, the first meeting being the 2019 US Open and the second meeting being the 2022 Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev has faced Novak Djokovic fifteen times in which Djokovic leads the head record 10-5. He defeated the Serb in straight sets in the final of the 2021 US Open to clinch his first and only Grand Slam Title to date.
One for the books🏆@RafaelNadal defeats Daniil Medvedev 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5 in a 5 hours and 24 minutes incredible match💪
— ATP Tour (@atptour) January 30, 2022
🎥: @AustralianOpen | #AusOpen | #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/gyTFieZWEr
Daniil Medvedev was in Abu Dhabi to represent Team Eagles at the World Tennis League. In an interview during his time there, he compared his success against Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as he commented on the Spaniard’s comeback.
“It’s kind of the same like with Novak; it’s just that all the seasons that he played he wins a lot of matches and doesn’t lose many. It’s very tough to beat him. Actually, with Rafa, maybe even I had even less success than Novak in a way.”
-Daniil Medvedev in an interview
Medvedev is looking up to a chance to play against Nadal and calls it a great challenge as he had less success against him in the past. He is unsure of Nadal’s shape but is happy on the news of his return.
“We had some tight matches where I felt like I could win and maybe he got the edge in the end. So, for me it’s going to be a great challenge if I have to face him…I don’t know at the moment his shape, no one knows, & how he’s going to handle. But, from what I saw, he seems to be doing good & that’s great for tennis.”
-Daniil Medvedev in an interview
“I’m sure that Novak is always going to be up there” – Daniil Medvedev feels that Novak Djokovic will be the greatest challenge next season
World No.3 Daniil Medvedev is certain that the 24-time Grand Slam champion will be the greatest challenge for the players in the upcoming season.
Medvedev was in Abu Dhabi to play at the second edition of the World Tennis League. He represented Team Eagles alongside Andrey Rublev, Sofia Kenin, and Mirra Andreeva and led them to victory over the Team Kites in the finals on 24th December.
In a recent interview during the WTL, the Russian tennis player mentioned that Novak Djokovic would be the biggest threat to the players in the next season.
“The only thing I’m sure of is that Novak is always going to be up there. I think both they and I were a step above the others, as the ranking showed. In each season you can see ups and downs of most tennis players.”
– Daniil Medvedev in an interview
