World No. 3 Daniil Medvedev has voiced his anticipation of facing Rafael Nadal in the upcoming season, highlighting the Spanish maestro’s return from injury as a significant challenge in the tennis circuit. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is scheduled to mark his comeback at the Brisbane International followed by the 2024 Australian Open, as confirmed by Medvedev during the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi.
Speaking to The National, Medvedev expressed the level of difficulty in competing against Nadal, acknowledging the formidable task ahead. He emphasized Nadal’s prowess on the court, remarking, “It’s very tough to beat him. Actually, with Rafa maybe I even had even less success than with Novak Djokovic in a way.” Medvedev acknowledged the challenge but also recalled close matches where victory was within reach, stating, “So for me it’s going to be a great challenge if I have to face him.”
The Russian player, known for his consistent performance and five ATP titles in 2023, particularly emphasized Nadal’s return being a positive for the sport of tennis. He acknowledged the uncertainty regarding Nadal’s form after the hiatus but expressed optimism after observing Nadal’s recent progress, noting, “But from what I saw, he seems to be doing good and that’s great for tennis.”
Medvedev also reflected on the competitive landscape, recognizing the potential for shifts in rankings and the competitive field. Despite the consistent presence of Djokovic, Medvedev acknowledged the unpredictable nature of each season, citing examples of players fluctuating in rankings and form, highlighting Stefanos Tsitsipas’s journey at the Australian Open and emphasizing the ever-evolving nature of professional tennis.
The 27-year-old Medvedev articulated his determination to continue improving and evolving in the upcoming season. Acknowledging his maturity and experience, he expressed his eagerness to push his boundaries, elevate his professionalism, and enhance his mental fortitude to overcome challenges, aiming for continued growth and success in the competitive tennis sphere.
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Currently the world no.670, Nadal played his last match on the 18th of January when he lost to world no.41 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
This season Rafael has a composed 1-3 record.
He is also scheduled to play at the Australian Open (Australian Open) on the 14th of January and Brisbane (Brisbane International) on the 31st of December.
Daniil Medvedev in 2023
WWWWLLLWWL At the moment ranked no.3, Medvedev played his last match on the 18th of November when he was defeated by world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-3 6-7(4) 6-1 in the semifinal in the Nitto ATP Finals (draw).
Currently, during this season the Russian has managed to achieve an overall 66-18 win-loss record. Medvedev conquered 5 titles in 2023 in Rotterdam, Doha, Dubai, Miami and Rome. Daniil reached the final in Indian Wells, U.S. Open, Beijing and Vienna.
Medvedev will compete next at the Australian Open (Australian Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 14th of January.
Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev played each other 6 times. Their record is 5-1 for Nadal. The last time they played each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-3 6-3 in the semifinal in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel) in February 2022.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Rafael Nadal and Daniil Medvedev |
| Embed from Getty Images |
