Daniil Medvedev Finds Rafael Nadal Tougher to Beat Than Novak Djokovic

Medvedev's Success Against Djokovic and Nadal

Among the top ATP players, Daniil Medvedev has had a respectable record against Novak Djokovic, winning five out of their 15 meetings. This includes a victory in the 2021 US Open final.

However, Medvedev has only managed to secure one win against Rafael Nadal in their six total matches. Despite this, he acknowledges that some of their matches have been close and he has felt capable of winning.

While Nadal missed most of 2023 due to injury, he will be returning to the Australian Open next month. As an unseeded player, there is a possibility that he may face Medvedev early on in the tournament.

Medvedev's Perspective on Facing Nadal

Medvedev recognizes the challenge of playing against both Djokovic and Nadal. He emphasizes that Djokovic's consistent winning record makes him incredibly tough to beat.

In terms of Nadal, Medvedev admits to having even less success against him compared to Djokovic. However, he remains optimistic and views facing Nadal as a great challenge. He acknowledges that Nadal's current shape and performance are uncertain, but notes that he seems to be doing well.

Nadal's Return and Mouratoglou's Perspective

Nadal's return to the Australian Open after his injury hiatus has generated much intrigue. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his condition, coach Patrick Mouratoglou believes that if Nadal is physically well, he poses a significant threat to any opponent.

Mouratoglou acknowledges the challenges of returning to the game after a long break but does not discount Nadal's abilities. He highlights the anticipation among fans and fellow players to see Nadal compete again. Additionally, Mouratoglou considers the upcoming Roland Garros tournament as a crucial event for Nadal's season.

The true extent of Nadal's physical condition remains known only to him, which will ultimately determine his performance level in 2024.