“Daniil Medvedev is a born competitor, he hates losing just like Nadal” Jean-Rene Lisnard talks about Medvedev’s mindset and hunger for titles
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Jean-Rene Lisnard and Daniil Medvedev
Daniil Medvedev became the latest entrant in the Grand Slam Winner’s Club when the Russian defeated World No. 1 and 20-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, in the finals of the US Open 2021. Medvedev, playing in his 3rd Grand Slam final, defeated Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to claim his maiden Grand Slam title.
This was Medvedev’s 3rd Grand Slam final and 2nd at the US Open. He reached his first-ever Grand Slam final at the 2019 US Open where he was defeated by Rafael Nadal in a 5-set thriller on his way to claim his 4th title in New York. Medvedev had to wait for 1 complete season before he reached another Grand Slam, the finals of the 2021 Australian Open.
In Melbourne, Djokovic got the better of him as the Serbian defended his title and clinched his 9th Australian Open title by beating Medvedev in straight-sets. Medvedev however had his revenge in New York as he not only won his 1st Slam, he also denied Novak his 21st Grand Slam title and a chance to achieve the Calendar Slam as Novak had won all 3 Slams earlier this season.
Speaking about Medvedev’s mentality, Jean-Rene Lisnard, the 41-year old veteran from Monaco who shared the same performance centre as Medvedev in Cannes before Daniil left it, talked about Medvedev’s attitude during training and his belief in himself during the 7 years they spent in Cannes together at the centre.
“It’s easy to say it afterwards but I knew he was going to win this US Open. I have witnesses who can confirm this. . Beyond that, what I mean is that I am not surprised. Daniil has already lost two Grand Slam finals, and saw how he hates defeat, that it was inconceivable to lose 3rd,” Lisnard said.
“Daniil Medvedev is like Nadal” Lisnard on Medvedev’s fighting spirit
Medvedev came quite close to dethroning Djokovic from the No. 1 spot on the ATP rankings but things did not turn out in his favour and he continues to trail the Serbian. However, with his sensational display at the US Open 2021 where he dropped just 1 set throughout the Slam, it might not be long before we get a new World No. 1.
“Daniil is a born competitor, he hates losing. For that, he looks like Nadal. I can’t say how many Grand Slam titles he will win, but I’m sure he will be world number 1 someday,” said Lisnard believing that Medvedev has it in himself to become the World No. 1.
While the players relax for a week after the conclusion of the US Open with both the ATP Tour and WTA Tour beginning from next week, Medvedev will aim at reaching the summit by the end of the year given his supreme form on hardcourts this year.
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Sarthak Shitole
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