Daniil Medvedev defeated Novak Djokovic in 2021 US Open final. (AP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Daniil Medvedev claimed that the rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is heating up
- US Open defending champion Daniil Medvedev said that he wants to win every tournament
- World number one Daniil Medvedev will play American Stefan Kozlov in first round at the US Open
World number one Daniil Medvedev admitted “it is a pity” that the 21-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will not compete at the US Open.
Djokovic, who lost to Medvedev in the final of the 2021 US Open in straight sets, withdrew from the hard-court major hours before the draw was announced on August 25 as he opted not to get the Covid-19 vaccine. According to the current rules, travellers have to show proof of vaccination to board flights to enter the United States.
“I wish he would play here,” Medvedev reacted on the absence of Djokovic. “It’s a pity he (Djokovic) is not here. It would be a great story I think for tennis. Not only tennis-wise, but it’s not us tennis players, it’s American government rules. Completely understandable also.”
“The rivalry against Rafa (Nadal) is really I feel like heating up in a way. 22, 21 (Grand Slams), a joke of a number,” Medvedev went onto add while referring to the number of major titles won by Nadal and Djokovic respectively.
The world number one Medvedev will enter the US Open on the back of some uneven performances, having won at Los Cabos before suffering a shock defeat in Montreal. Recently, the Russian recently reached the semi-finals at Cincinnati Masters.
“The biggest challenge always is to play tennis. I say this because we want to win every tournament. I mean, I managed to win only one this year, but I played maybe 12, 13, 14. I want to win every of them that I play. It’s always a constant challenge,” he said.
Medvedev is aiming to get his hands on a second major title after losing a five-set thriller to Nadal in the 2022 Australian Open final. He said that he wanted to try “something big” in New York. “I’m working well with my team. I’m confident in myself.”
