“Novak Djokovic is a little better on Grass but Rafael Nadal didn’t play,” Daniil Medvedev makes a huge statement on this year’s Wimbledon
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Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Daniil Medvedev
World No. 1 and the defending champion at the 2022 US Open, Daniil Medvedev continued his fine form as he defeated Arthur Rinderknech in straight-sets to enter the 3rd round at the Grand Slam in his title defence. The Russian is yet to drop a set so far in his title defence and with disciplined performances, he is looking certain for a long run at the Grand Slam.
Medvedev is eyeing his second Grand Slam title and also has his ranking under threat unless he isn’t able to defend the title or at least make a big run as three players are in contention to displace the Russian from the top if they can clinch this year’s US Open with the list including 4-time US Open champion Rafael Nadal, young gun Casper Ruud and teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz.
“I think Rafa is also a big favourite,”: Daniil Medvedev on the title contenders at the US Open
Medvedev’s biggest threat remains Nadal as he is much more experienced than Ruud and Alcaraz having won 22 majors and both Ruud and Alcaraz are yet to stamp their authority on hardcourts as they have done on claycourts. However, Medvedev was courteous enough to not pressurise Nadal by putting the tag of favourite on him, but at the same time, he did talk about how the Spaniard has been unbeaten in majors this season and hinted that if it not had been for the injury, Rafa could have claimed the 2022 Wimbledon as well.
“I don’t want to put pressure on anybody, but I think Rafa is also a big favourite. He won the last time he played here, it was me actually (runner-up in the finals in 2019), he won two Slams this year and actually Wimbledon, I will be honest, Novak (Djokovic) is a little bit better on Grass but Rafa didn’t play so he actually didn’t lose in a Grand Slam this year, he retired, which is not the same.
“So in my opinion, Rafa is big, let’s call it like this, because I don’t want to say favourite or big favourite but he’s definitely a big figure in this tournament. Then for sure, there are many other good guys but I am happy to see my name sometimes in the odds or something like this because I am like ‘that’s great it means I play some good tennis’ and being amongst the favourites brings me more motivation to try to do well,” said Medvedev speaking in his press conference.
Medvedev will now take on Yibing Wu in the third round with the Chinese player raising some eyebrows with his performances. As for Nadal, the Spaniard will take on Fabio Fognini in the second round looking for his 21st win in a Grand Slam this season having won all 20 of his matches in the majors so far.
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Sarthak Shitole
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