Novak Djokovic is the uncontested world no.1. The Serbian legend is about to break Roger Federer’s record of being more than 310 weeks at the top of the rankings, and he is aiming at being the man with the most slam titles under his belt.
However, the new generation is becoming stronger and stronger. Dominic Thiem won his maiden slam at the previous US Open, Stefanos Tsitsipas has reached 3 slams semifinals, and Daniil Medvedev is about to challenge him at the current Australian Open.
Daniil Medvedev is becoming a real threat to the “establishment.” He has won the last 20 matches, and he conquered the previous ATP Finals after winning the prestigious ATP1000 in Bercy. In London, he dismissed Djokovic 6-3 6-3 in the round robin. The Russian champion was absolutely ruthless when facing Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Australian Open semifinal with a straight-sets win.
Djokovic about the new generation
During a recent interview with Eurosport, Novak sounded rather defiant about the up-and-coming players. He maintains that while they are dangerous, they are not ready to take over.
“There has been a lot of talk about the new generation coming and taking over the three of us, but realistically that isn’t happening still. We can talk about it all day if you want, but with all my respect about the other guys, they still have a lot of work to do.”
Then Novak said that he will try everything he can to defend his position, and he will concede nothing to the new players.
“Of course Dominic Thiem winning a Grand Slam title is fantastic. These guys are very strong, play high-quality tennis, without a doubt. Certainly they will be the leaders of the future of tennis, without a doubt, but I’m not going to stand here and hand it over to them. I’m going to make them work their ass off for it,” he added.
The Australian Open final
Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev will face off in the Australian Open final.
They played each other 7 times. The head to head is 4-3 for Djokovic. Previously, the last time when they locked horns, Daniil Medvedev won 6-3 6-3 in the round robin in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2020.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
Djokovic at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently ranked no.1, the Serbian has an overall 8-0 match record in 2021. Djokovic is playing at the moment at the Australian Open where he beat Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-1 6-2, Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-73 7-62 6-3, Taylor Harry Fritz 7-61 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2, Milos Raonic 7-64 4-6 6-1 6-4, Alexander Zverev 6-76 6-2 6-4 7-66 and Aslan Karatsev 6-3 6-4 6-2.
Novak Djokovic will take on Medvedev in the final. Their head to head is 4-3 for Djokovic.
The Serbian won 82 titles in his career: 48 on hard courts, 15 on clay courts, 13 on indoor courts and 6 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Medvedev at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Ranked world no.4 (career-high), the Russian has achieved a compiled 10-0 win-loss record in 2021. The Russian is playing at the Australian Open where he toppled Vasek Pospisil 6-2 6-2 6-4, Roberto Carballes Baena 6-2 7-5 6-1, Filip Krajinovic 6-3 6-3 4-6 3-6 6-0, Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-2 6-3, Andrey Rublev 7-5 6-3 6-2 and Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4 6-2 7-5.
Daniil Medvedev will take on Djokovic in the final. Their current record is 4-3 for Djokovic.
Daniil won 10 titles in his career: 5 on hard courts and 5 on indoor courts. (See the list of his titles)
Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2021
Ranked world no.6, Tsitsipas played his last match on the 19th of February when he lost to Daniil Medvedev 6-4 6-2 7-5 in the semifinal of the Australian Open (draw).
This season the Greek has a 6-1 win-loss record. Stefanos Tsitsipas’s latest run at the Australian Open was the best achievement of his season.
Dominic Thiem in 2021
At the moment ranked no.3 (career-high), the Austrian played his last match on the 14th of February when he lost to Grigor Dimitrov 6-4 6-4 6-0 in the 4th round of the Australian Open (draw).
At the moment, during this season Thiem has a 4-2 win-loss record.
Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem played each other 8 times. The head to head is 5-3 for Thiem. Previously, the last time they fought against each other, Dominic Thiem won 7-6(5) 4-6 6-3 in the round robin in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2020.
Here the highlights.
