Medvedev: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are amazing

Russia's Daniil Medvedev, ranked No. 5 in the world, says it is very difficult to beat Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic because they know what to do at all times and hit each ball differently.

In an interview to the Spanish website MARCA, Medvedev says, "They are amazing and know what to do at all times. The quality of each ball they hit to you makes everything very complicated. When you go out to play against them you cannot expect an easy point. It's like fighting for your life at home instantly. It is true that it is easier to beat three sets than if the match is the best of five. For the new generation of which I am a part it is interesting to see who will win more Slams. Yes, it is true that Rafa has an advantage at Roland Garros. He can keep winning there if he is not injured, but you never know when the injuries can arrive."

Medevdev, who lost to Rafael Nadal in the final of the US Open, says beating the Spaniard on clay, especially at Roland Garros, is one of the biggest challenges in tennis today. "I have not played against him on clay. It is not the best surface for me. But of course when you look at the percentage of Nadal's victories on the surface in general and in Roland Garros in particular it can be the biggest challenge today."

The 24 year old Russian is in Rotterdam this week for the ABN Amro Tournament and says that he feels anyone in the Top 10 or even Top 20 are in a position to win a Grand Slam although he would not be surprised if the Big Three won all the Grand Slams this year as well. "I don't like to predict the future, but of course it (a member of the Next Gen group winning a Grand Slam) is possible. Anyway, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic have many titles in a row and I would not be surprised if they won everything in 2020. For me, the base is quite wide and I would go to any player in the Top 10. In fact, even a player in the Top 20 is in a position to win a Grand Slam, although they start with the handicap of having a more complicated way to get there."

Finally, speaking about the Olympic Games in Tokyo later this year, Medvedev says, "I am sad about it on the basis that I am a tennis player and every week I am being controlled by all the federations and agencies in the world. I understand that it was not an easy decision, but I would like to play in Japan under my flag. There are still a few months left and we will see what finally happens when we are there later this year."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2USQHWI