After overcoming a “tough” Rafael Nadal loss, Daniel Medvedev sets his sights on “one more title” in the Australian Open

Daniil Medvedev acknowledged the difficulty of his defeat in the 2022 Australian Open final, describing it as a tough experience. However, he emphasized that he has fully put it behind him as he aims to surpass that setback and achieve a better result two years later in Melbourne. In the 2022 final, Medvedev secured the first two sets against Rafael Nadal, only to witness the Spaniard’s comeback in an epic five-setter. Despite the setback, had Medvedev sealed the victory, he would have joined the elite group of players who have claimed consecutive Grand Slam titles, a remarkable achievement considering the high caliber of his opponents.

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After breezing past Felix Auger-Aliassime to secure a spot in the fourth round, the 27-year-old Daniil Medvedev exuded high spirits and expressed his determination to win at least one more prestigious tennis event before retiring from the sport. Despite the tough loss in the 2022 final, Medvedev asserted that he has completely moved on from that experience, focusing solely on the present and future.

Reflecting on the challenging 2022 final against Rafael Nadal, Medvedev admitted the disappointment of coming close to victory, particularly in the fifth set when he staged a comeback but ultimately fell short. However, he emphasized his current focus, expressing the desire to reach another final, have the opportunity to win another Grand Slam, and continue showcasing top-notch tennis by defeating formidable opponents.

Medvedev articulated his understanding of his goals and plans, acknowledging that in the unpredictable and fluctuating world of tennis, there might be moments of feeling lost. Despite this, he conveyed his current happiness and eagerness for what lies ahead in the upcoming tennis season.

In the upcoming last-16 clash in Melbourne, Daniil Medvedev is set to face Nuno Borges, who notably eliminated the in-form Grigor Dimitrov. If Medvedev aims to secure his first Australian Open title, he’ll likely have to overcome challenges from players like Carlos Alcaraz and the formidable Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic, seeking his 25th Grand Slam and 11th Australian Open title, emerges as the clear favorite, especially following his impressive straight-sets victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the tournament. The prospect of facing Djokovic adds a significant challenge for Medvedev, given their history. They have clashed 15 times, with Djokovic holding a 10-5 advantage in their head-to-head record. Medvedev was reminded of their first encounter in 2017 at the Davis Cup as he prepares for the anticipated showdown.

Reflecting on his first defeat seven years ago, Daniil Medvedev highlighted the considerable changes in his approach to tennis since then. He acknowledged his maturation over the years, noting that during that initial encounter, he took the sport seriously but perhaps at around 90% commitment. Despite already being in the top 100, he managed to give Novak Djokovic a challenging match.

Following the intense contest, Medvedev recalled being completely cramped and unable to move for three hours after the match. He described the experience as unbelievable and expressed satisfaction in knowing that even at that early stage in his career, he could make Djokovic face difficulties on the court.

Medvedev also attributed the cramping issue to his lack of focus on nutrition during that time. He admitted to consuming fast food before matches, initially considering it unimportant compared to aspects like the quality of his forehand and backhand. However, gradually, he came to realize the significance of his off-court lifestyle.

This marks the first phase of Daniil Medvedev’s journey, a period during which he didn’t fully grasp the importance of holistic well-being. Reflecting on this part of his past, Medvedev acknowledged the unbelievable nature of the story.

In a separate incident, a young Medvedev had the opportunity to practice with Djokovic before a Davis Cup match between Serbia and Russia in 2017. Following their practice session, Medvedev was asked if he would be interested in traveling to the venue together with Djokovic.

Medvedev further elaborated, stating, “I think that’s something people may not always be aware of regarding Novak. On the court, he can be tough, just like I can be. He exhibits various facets of his personality. But from the first time I met him, when I was ranked 400 in the world, to now being No. 3 and having been No. 1, I feel he treats me the same.

While I’ve evolved into more of a rival for him over time, the off-court treatment remains consistent when we encounter each other. This aspect is something I appreciate about him. It reflects positively on him as a person.”