“Beating someone like Novak Djokovic in the final,” Daniil Medvedev remains motivated from last year’s US Open run ahead of the title defence this year

“Beating someone like Novak Djokovic in the final,” Daniil Medvedev remains motivated from last year’s US Open run ahead of the title defence this year

Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev

World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev is the defending champion at the 2022 US Open which starts on 29th August in New York. The Russian will have the massive task of a successful title defence in order to solidify his ranking at the top and take home his second career Grand Slam title after what has been a topsy-turvy season for him.

Medvedev made his way to the finals of the 2022 Australian Open but lost in a sensational manner to Rafael Nadal‘s brilliance. His French Open campaign wasn’t a great one as he was returning from a forced break due to surgery and then missed this year’s Wimbledon due to the ban on all Russian and Belarusian players. As the final Grand Slam of the season approaches, Daniil will have a lot of pressure on him as he takes the court with 2000 points to defend.

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“The Grand Slam is above everything,”: Daniil Medvedev

Daniil Medvedev with the US Open 2021 Trophy
Daniil Medvedev with the US Open 2021 Trophy

Medvedev has been in good form but has been inconsistent as well. Since becoming the World No. 1 for the first time, Medvedev has lost two finals while winning only the ATP-250 event in Los Cabos. His title defence in Canadian Masters also ended in the second round itself and coming into the US Open, there are questions about his form.

“Was this title difficult to digest? Honestly, I don’t think so. I’m glad I managed to accomplish this. It’s a big step in the life of a player. We can always discuss what is more important, between the Masters, the Davis Cup, the Masters 1000, etc. But the Grand Slam is above everything. For me, winning my first Grand Slam was just happiness, good motivation and a lot of confidence too. 

“When I look back, knowing that I was able to accomplish that, especially beating someone like Novak in the final, and that can only help me to do it again in the future,” said Medvedev on Eurosport as he continues to stay motivated and focussed on fighting hard in his title defence and make the most out of it.

Medvedev will be the top seed undoubtedly and will look to continue his form that was on display at the 2022 Cincinnati Masters where he reached the semi-finals going down fighting in 3-sets against Stefanos Tsitsipas who would then go on to lose to Borna Coric in the Czech’s brilliant comeback title.

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