'Absence of Roger Federer and Nadal gives a chance for everyone else', says Top 5

Daniil Medvedev was undoubtedly one of the protagonists of the 2019 season. The Russian tennis player held an incredible performance throughout the swing on the American hard court, winning the 1000 in Cincinnati and taking Rafael Nadal to the fifth set in the final of the US Open. After winning also in Shanghai, he did not repeat himself in the round robin of the ATP Finals, losing all three matches played. The loss in the round of 16 of the Australian Open against Wawrinka and in general a start to the season below expectations have not affected the confidence of the number 5 in the world. Daniil Medvedev is confident Novak Djokovic won't be too affected by the mental baggage surrounding him at the US Open. The Russian also said that a Grand Slam without Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would be a big opportunity for the young guns.

Medvedev on Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

“I think Novak Djokovic is a great champion. Of course many things can disturb him, his life, like the things that happened lately, but when he's on court, it's a different story,” Daniil Medvedev said. “I mean, he can play some unbelievable tennis, and I should say maybe even sometimes, as many of us, some things that go against him makes him stronger. Most important is going to be how good are you playing tennis, and let's see where he is right now,” he continued. The Russian also said that a Grand Slam without Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal would be a big opportunity for the young guns. “Yeah, of course there is a, first of all, big opportunity for a new Grand Slam winner, because there is, let's say, only three Grand Slam winners in the draw of US Open, Cilic, Murray, and Novak, if I'm not mistaken, which of course gives bigger chance for everybody else,” Medvedev said. The US Open 2020 will start on the 31st of August. This time the US Open is a bit different due to the pandemic. The main change is that matches will take place behind closed doors. Players will be kept in a bubble, less travel, and restrictions on movement. Both the defending champions, Rafael Nadal and Bianca Andreescu have withdrawn from the US Open this year which is going to commence from August 31. And with a lot of big names missing from the draw, we might see some unexpected champions lifting the famous old trophy.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3lf02CQ