'When I played Roger Federer I was a worse player than now', says ATP ace

Daniil Medvedev is considered by many to be the future number 1 in the world once Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have hung up the racket. On the other hand, the young Russian occupies the third place in the world ranking after having pushed up to second position on the eve of Monte Carlo. Shortly before his debut in the Principality, the Moscow tennis player tested positive for Coronavirus, thus unable to take the field and being forced into isolation. Thanks to the triumph obtained by Nadal in Barcelona the following week, the Spanish phenomenon thus operated the counter-overtaking by returning behind Djokovic. In early 2021, Daniil hit his second career final in a Grand Slam tournament, highlighting an outstanding performance at the Australian Open. Some bookmakers even gave him as favorite against Nole in the last act, but the challenge soon turned into a solo by the 33-year-old from Belgrade. In an interview with 'AS' in Madrid, Medvedev analyzed in detail his direct clashes with the Big 3.

Daniil Medvedev on Roger Federer

"All three are tough," Daniil Medvedev said. "But when I played Roger Federer I was a worse player than now, which doesn't mean anything, because if I beat him now it wouldn't be the same as when he was 25 years old. He remains an amazing gamer and an idol to everyone." The Russian then refined his answer by separating the Big 3 based on their favoured surfaces and events. "It's actually easy to answer," Medvedev continued. "Rafa at Roland Garros, Djokovic in Australia and Roger at Wimbledon." Daniil Medvedev also took the time to speak about the other promising players on tour at the moment. "Felix (Auger-Aliassime), Jannik (Sinner), Denis (Shapovalov) have great potential," Medvedev said. "For the rest, it is difficult to say, because I do not have enough arguments to do it and if I do they will say that I said this or that thing." The Russian spoke to the members of the media ahead of his return on clay, and revealed that his struggles on clay are largely because his playing style doesn't suit the surface. "I don't think it will change, to be honest. It’s just about playing on clay," Daniil Medvedev said. "I think my shots, my movement and my physical appearance doesn’t suit clay. I always said to me, it’s always step-by-step," Medvedev said. "The goal for all three tournaments, Rome, Roland Garros, and Madrid, is to at least win one match in each of them."

 

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