Daniil Medvedev Picks Between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic: “Novak is Easier”

It is baffling to choose which player is a tougher opponent between the two arch-rivals and goliaths of the sport – Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. However, rising tennis sensation Daniil Medvedev has the answer to the enigmatic topic.

World No. 5 Daniil Medvedev played three matches each with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the 2019 season. The Russian has, therefore, analysed their game and suggested the difference between the two legends.

The 23-year-old stated that facing Djokovic is more comfortable than Nadal. Daniil Medvedev also suggested that matches with the Serbian are very intense and it excites him the most. He also termed the World No.1 and World No.2 as two great champions.

“They are two big champions and two unbelievable opponents, but I think facing Novak for my kind of game is easier. The matches against him are close and it excites me,” Daniil Medvedev said in an interview with Ubitennis in Diriyah.

Daniil Medvedev H2H with Djokovic and Nadal

Medvedev and Djokovic have faced each other five times and the 16-time Grand Slam champion won on three occasions, two of which came in 2017. However, the head-to-head record was favourable to the Russian in 2019 as he won two of their three matches at the Monte-Carlo Masters and Cincinnati Masters. On the other hand, the US Open 2019 runner-up faced Rafael Nadal three times and lost all the three matches.

Daniil Medvedev aims to be World No.1

The Moscow native expressed his desire to be number one as soon as possible. He stated that he has been thinking of becoming World No. 1 since he was six years old. The next-gen star noted that he is obsessed with the thought of reaching the top spot and will never stop trying to achieve that.

He said: “I have been thinking about it since I was six years old and I do not think I will stop trying, but I am not obsessed with it. If when I will be 40 years old I will be able to sit and say that I was the world No.2 as my career-high ranking my life will not be that different.”

“Of course, when you work hard, you train in a certain way and you play so many tournaments that you want to always get the best results,” Medvedev concluded.