“There’s no comparison,”. Daniil Medvedev declares Rafael Nadal’s Roland Garros record as tennis’ ‘most impressive’ record

Medvedev believes Nadal's record is the greatest

“There’s no comparison,”. Daniil Medvedev declares Rafael Nadal’s Roland Garros record as tennis’ ‘most impressive’ record

Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev (Image via DraftKings Nation)

Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from Roland Garros was a shocker for everyone. The man who has won the event 14 times in just 18 attempts is certainly the king of that event. The fact that this is the first time he has ever skipped Roland Garros has filled the tennis world with the utmost sadness.

The prayers started as the Spaniard said that he had pulled out of the entire 2023 season. Ex-players, colleagues, and fans all just want him to be healthy. Nadal has hinted that he might play the 2024 season as his last. However, he will try his best to keep going.

YouTube video

Amidst this rather sad news, his competition and fellow Russian ace Daniil Medvedev came out in praise of the Spaniard. After his quarter-final win over German Yannick Hanfmann, the Russian was asked about Nadal’s greatness on the clay. Medvedev knew exactly what to say, as he had no doubt that Nadal’s record was the greatest on the surface.

FS Video

“In tennis, for sure. Novak won Australia 10 times. Still, Rafa won 14. Rafa on clay, especially RG. I honestly don’t know how this is possible. In tennis, for the moment, there’s no comparison,” said the Russian.

Medvedev also mentioned that Djokovic might make it 14 in Australia. That would then make it a proper debate. However, as of now 14 is superior and Nadal surely is the greatest currently. Medvedev and Nadal have had some tough matches in the past not to mention the Australian Open final last year. With Nadal not being available this time around, Medvedev might sense his chances of glory in Paris.

Related: Rafael Nadal dosen’t want to be ‘drama queen’ and accept his fate when body says ‘enough’

Nadal-Medvedev: A rivalry of the tough ones

IMG COM 20230519 0801 56 5072
Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev (Image via USOpen.org)

Medvedev also mentioned that Djokovic might make it to 14 in Australia. That would then make it a proper debate. However, as of now, 14 is superior, and Nadal surely is the greatest currently. Medvedev and Nadal have had some tough matches in the past, not to mention the Australian Open final last year. With Nadal not being available this time around, Medvedev might sense his chances of glory in Paris.

Their first meeting was in Canada in 2019, where Nadal gave the Russian a good beating. He defeated him 6-3, 6-0 to lift the title. However, their next one was going to be a cracker, as it was the final of the 2019 US Open. Nadal was the favorite, and he started off in that fashion. He took the first two sets and was about to close the game. However, Medvedev was in for a fight. He somehow took the next two and forced Nadal into a decider. Ultimately, Nadal turned the game around to lift the cup. 

2019 and 2020 saw the two lock horns at the ATP finals. Nadal won in 2019 and Medvedev in 2020. Both matches were hard-fought three-setters. Not to mention the miraculous Nadal comeback from 1-5 down in the final set in 2019. After a year’s gap, both met at the Australian Open in 2022, and the world saw one of the great finals. Medvedev won the first two sets and had a breakpoint in the third. There was absolutely no way he was going to lose this game.

Their last meeting was in Acapulco that year. Nadal quite comfortably kept Medvedev at bay. Apart from two matches, this rivalry has certainly been one to cheer for.

In case you missed it: