“I’m scared,” Daniil Medvedev admits Rafael Nadal being a superior and dangerous opponent on clay

Daniil Medvedev thinks Rafael Nadal is a formidable opponent on the clay court tournaments. He also went further to admit that he fears playing the Spaniard on clay courts.

“I’m scared,” Daniil Medvedev admits Rafael Nadal being a superior and dangerous opponent on clay

Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal

Daniil Medvedev started his campaign in the Indian Wells Open by winning against Brandon Nakashima in the first-round match 6-4, 6-3. Following this match, he interacted with a group of journalists in a press conference.

During the same interaction, a journalist asked him a tricky question who he thinks is a more dangerous opponent between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He chose the Spaniard as he thinks he is a great challenge especially on clay. He also mentioned that he is afraid of facing Rafael Nadal on clay surface tournaments.

“I didn’t play Rafa on clay. Rafa on clay is probably the worst and best challenge in tennis. When I say “worst,” it’s because he lost, what, I don’t know, 10 matches? I’m not even sure he lost 10. I mean, last years he was losing a little bit more in tournaments like Rome and Monte-Carlo. But, yeah, I will be honest, I’m scared to play Rafa on clay. In a way I want to try it, and for sure I will fight to win, but that must be scary to go out against Rafa on clay,” he answered in the press conference.

Daniil Medvedev has never made beyond semi-final round in this tournament, hence, he would love to improve his record in this competition.

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Daniil Medvedev assess chances of Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros

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Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev

The Russian right now is on a winning spree. He has already won three ATP tournaments including ATP Rotterdam Open, Qatar Open and Dubai Tennis Championships. Many believe he is in great form and could be a threat for the rest of the competition in the Indian Wells Open. His coach Giles Cervara has high expectations from him coming into this tournament. In fact, he believes that if French Open is organized today, his protégé can win it.

Meanwhile, in an interview given a few days back, he weighed in the chances of the 22-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. He believes that winning the Roland Garros men’s singles title would be difficult for the Serbian, even though being fully aware of recent good-form in which the 35-year old is.

“Novak is obsessed because he wanted to break all the records and he is trying to do it. I think Roland Garros will be hard for him, difficult to achieve (to complete the Grand Slam),” he said.

Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are not playing in this year’s Indian Wells competition. Hence, this could be a golden chance for the Russian to win the Indian Wells Open trophy and title.

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