Daniil Medvedev: “Playing against Nadal and Djokovic is a privilege”

The Russian tennis player is looking forward to the upcoming fights with famous opponents

Former world number one, Russian Daniil Medvedev, on the eve of the semifinal match against Serb Novak Djokovic at a tennis tournament in Adelaide, Australia, told reporters on January 6 that he considers it a privilege to test his strength against Rafael Nadal and Djokovic. Adding that he would be happy to meet both at the Australian Open (Australian Open).

In 2021, Medvedev lost to 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic in the Australian Open final, and in the 2022 final to 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal.

“Playing against Rafa and Novak is a privilege. I’m disappointed that when I started playing better, got into the top 10, I didn’t get to play the Australian Open with Roger Federer because I lost to him three times before.

I was already pretty good, but I wasn’t as good as I am now. I still have a chance to play with Rafa and Novak. And every time I have that chance, I want to win. I want to try my best. I had some big losses against both of them, but the only Grand Slam I ever won was against Novak, which was great. I am happy to play against them,” Medvedev told reporters at a tournament in Adelaide. Where on Saturday, January 7, he will play Djokovic in the semi-finals after the Serbian defeated Canadian Denis Shapovalov, and Medvedev defeated another Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov. The semi-final match will begin at 5 am Moscow time.

Medvedev beat Djokovic to win his first major at the 2021 US Open, but said it was completely different to play him in Australia.

“In Australia we played three times… I won’t say too much about it, but I lost all the matches. Playing with Novak in Australia is a challenge for me. It might be easier in Adelaide than in Melbourne, who knows, but it’s a challenge and it’s a great test ahead of the Australian Open to play one of the best and possibly the best player in the history of world tennis.” Medvedev.