ADELAIDE, Jan 6 (Reuters) – Daniil Medvedev believes it is a privilege to meet Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal and the former world number one said on Friday he would like to face them both at the Australian Open.
Medvedev lost to Djokovic, a 21-time grand slam champion, in the final of the Australian Open two years ago, before falling to Nadal, a 22-time major winner, in a title marathon at Melbourne Park 12 months ago. .
“To play against Rafa and Novak is a privilege,” Medvedev told reporters in Adelaide, where he could face Djokovic in the semi-finals of the ATP 250 tournament on Saturday should the Serbian beat Denis Shapovalov.
“I’m disappointed because when I started playing better, I got into the top 10, I couldn’t play with Roger Federer because I lost to him three times (before).”
“I wasn’t bad then, but I wasn’t where I am now. I still have the opportunity to play against Rafa and Novak and every time I get this opportunity, I want to win. I want to try and do my best.”
“I’ve had some tough losses against both of them, but the only (grand) slam I’ve won was against Novak and it was great. I’m happy to play against them.”
Medvedev beat Djokovic to win his first major tournament at the US Open in 2021, but he said playing him in Australia was a completely different challenge.
“We played in Australia three times. (…) I won’t talk much about that, but I lost them all,” said Medvedev. “It’s a challenge to play against Novak in Australia.
“Maybe it might be easier in Adelaide than in Melbourne, you never know, but it’s a challenge and it’s a great test before the Australian Open to play against one of the best and probably the best player of all time in terms of tennis. Australian” .
The Australian Open starts on January 16.
(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bangalore; Spanish editing by Flora Gómez)
