Daniil Medvedev compares Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s playing style after admitting having struggled against the Spaniard more

Medvedev has only one win in six meetups with Rafa.

Daniil Medvedev compares Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s playing style after admitting having struggled against the Spaniard more

L-R: Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (Image via tennishead)

Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are absolute icons of the sport of tennis. With 36 singles major Grand Slam titles between them, both of them have dominated the sport for more than a decade.

Their playing styles and choice of turfs are very different from each other, but one thing that makes them similar is their hunger to win. Current World No.3 Daniil Medvedev recently drew comparisons between these two legends of the game.

In an interview with The National, Medvedev opens up about playing against both of them and what makes Rafa more difficult for him to face. Medvedev said,

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It's kind of the same as with Novak. It’s just that in all the seasons that he played he won a lot of matches & didn't lose many. It's very tough to beat him. Actually, with Rafa maybe I even had even less success than with Novak in a way. But we had some tight matches where I felt like I could win & maybe he got the edge in the end.

Medvedev has only one win in six meetups with Rafa. The win came in the semifinals of the Nitto ATP Finals. Rafa had defeated the Russian twice in the Grand Slam finals. Firstly, in the 2019 US Open and then in the 2022 Australian Open. Compared to his record against the Spaniard, the 2021 US Open winner has a better record against Nole with 5 wins to his name than Djokovic’s 10.

With Rafa’s comeback, Daniil Medvedev can again come face-to-face with him in the Melbourne Park

Rafael Nadal is all set for a comeback in the Australian Open. Medvedev referred to this during the interview and the chances he can again come face to face with Rafa. In the interview, Medvedev said, 

For me, it's going to be a great challenge if I have to face him… I don't know at the moment his shape, no one knows, & how he's going to handle. But from what I saw, he seems to be doing good & that's great for tennis.
Daniil Medvedev draws comparisons between two legends of the Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, says it's tougher to beat Rafa than Djokovic.
Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal (image via: Open Source/X)

With the three top players Nadal, Djokovic, and Medvedev set to collide in the Australian Open, it will be an event to witness for the fans. It won’t be easy for Rafa to come back in full form, but very few will dare to bet against the Spaniard. With his probable last professional season in 2024, Rafa is believed to leave no stone untouched to make a statement, starting with the Australian Open in January.

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