Daniil Medvedev says he does not agree with Rafael Nadal’s remarks that he is not a favourite for the coming tournaments, as the Russian tennis player emphasizes that there will always be something about the Spaniard on clay that makes competitors fearful.
Nadal had an injury in his very first competition back in 2023, which kept him out of action until last week, when he returned to the court in Barcelona. This delayed his return to action for nearly the whole season.
Medvedev expressed his remarks about Nadal in a recent interview and said: “When I saw his statements in Barcelona, in which he said that he was not a favourite, I thought that this is not determined by his state of form because the moment Rafa [Nadal] sets foot on a clay court, all his rivals are still afraid. It’s like that. We are still afraid of him and he showed why, against [Alex] De Minaur, being able to play for two hours and win every day, he will feel better. I think it will be very dangerous to see his progress. It is as fun for the fans as it is difficult for the rest of the players.”
He added: “No matter what form Rafa is in or how he’s feeling, when he steps, especially on clay, you’re still scared. Are you still scared of Rafa, who wins 80 matches & loses 1?”
Daniil Medvedev says Rafa Nadal is scary to play no matter what form he’s in:
“No matter what form Rafa is in or how he’s feeling, when he steps especially on clay.. you’re still scared. You’re still scared of Rafa that wins 80 matches & loses 1” 😂
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 28, 2024
Medvedev in Madrid, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.4, the Russian has managed to achieve a compiled 21-5 win-loss record in 2024. Medvedev is currently playing in Madrid where he beat the world no.36 Matteo Arnaldi 2-6 6-4 6-4 and the world no.26 Sebastian Korda 5-7 7-64 6-3.
Daniil Medvedev will face the world no.18 Alexander Bublik in the 4th round. Their current head to head is 6-0 for Medvedev.
Medvedev was the finalist at the Australian Open and in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open).
Daniil won 20 titles in his career: 10 on hard courts, 1 on clay courts, 8 on indoor courts and 1 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Medvedev is scheduled to compete next in Rome (Internazionali BNL d’Italia). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 8th of May.
Nadal in Madrid, ranking, and results in 2024
At the moment ranked no.512, Nadal owns a 5-2 win-loss record in 2024. Rafael is playing in Madrid where he toppled Darwin Blanch 6-1 6-0 and the world no.11 Alex De Minaur 7-66 6-3.
Rafael Nadal will compete against the world no.91 Pedro Cachin in the 3rd round on Monday at 4:00 pm on MANOLO SANTANA STADIUM. They have never competed against each other till now in top tournaments.
Rafael won 92 titles in his career: 24 on hard courts, 63 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play at the French Open (French Open) after Rome. The main draw will start on the 8th of May.
Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal faced off 6 times. Their current head to head is 5-1 for Nadal. Previously, the last time they competed against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-3 6-3 in the semifinal in Acapulco (Abierto Mexicano Telcel) in February 2022.
Here are the highlights.
