2-7-2023 (LONDON) Daniil Medvedev, currently ranked number three in the world, has declared his unwavering belief that Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time. Medvedev attributes this distinction to Djokovic’s exceptional ability to secure victories even on his off days, setting him apart from his peers.
Djokovic recently clinched his 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open, surpassing Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, two of his fiercest rivals. With Wimbledon commencing on Monday, the 34-year-old Serbian aims to claim an eighth championship, which would bring him level with Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles.
Speaking to reporters, Medvedev expressed his awe at Djokovic’s consistent triumphs. “I don’t know how he does it,” Medvedev admitted. “If I recall correctly, Novak has an almost 50 percent success rate. I believe he has played 70 majors and reached the final in 34 of them. I don’t understand how it’s possible. Does he never have bad days?”
Medvedev acknowledged that even Djokovic experiences off days like any other player, yet he manages to emerge victorious even in such circumstances. This feat becomes particularly challenging in one-on-one matches where both opponents are fiercely determined to win.
“I can’t comprehend how he achieves it. That’s why, in my opinion, he is the greatest in the history of tennis. However, this is a subject open to debate,” Medvedev added.
Having already secured victory at the Australian Open earlier this year, Djokovic is now aiming to keep his hopes of a calendar year Grand Slam alive. This achievement entails winning all four major tournaments within a single year.
It was Medvedev who famously denied Djokovic the Grand Slam in the final of the 2021 U.S. Open. Reflecting on that momentous victory, Medvedev expressed pride in his own performance while acknowledging Djokovic’s continued success afterward.
“Defeating him when he was on the verge of completing a Grand Slam, perhaps he felt more pressure than usual. Nonetheless, I played an exceptional match,” Medvedev recalled.
“This victory fills me with even greater satisfaction considering what Djokovic has achieved since then. I am elated that I was able to accomplish that. I don’t want to stop there. I hope to face him in finals or any other player. It’s something I haven’t managed to do for some time,” Medvedev concluded, expressing his determination to continue challenging the Serbian legend on the court.
