Nothing to do for Daniil Medvedev. The Russian tennis player failed to reach his first final of 2023 and lost the ninth match, this one in a row, of his career against Novak Djokovic at the Adelaide 1 ATP 250 tournament. What doomed the former world number one, in addition to the great performance of the Serbian star, were two painful double faults.
The two serves that made the difference ended in double faults. “It’s been a great week. Honestly, I lost to probably the best player in the world right now. He’s won four or five tournaments in a row. I’m a little disappointed, but also positive for the next tournaments.
I felt good this afternoon, which is great news for the Australian Open. However, the fact that I felt good on the track and lost is still a negative. I hope I don’t end up on the same side of the draw as Djokovic at the Australian Open,” the Russian declared at the press conference.
“I think he played slightly better than me. I don’t know how many unforced errors we made. He double faulted on break points, the only time I lost my serve. What are the differences between Djokovic and the other top ten? I don’t think he did well against the top 10 players last year, but Djokovic is in another category.
21 Slams, that’s what I can say. There were a few moments where I had the chance to get back into the game. I played a few matches against him where the momentum changed quickly. Today he has been able to hit the important moments, even in the last game, when we were 15-30.
Two perfect serves, it was difficult to answer. Other players wouldn’t have been able to do what Novak did. How does he do it? I have no idea. That’s why he, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, it’s not ashamed to admit it, they are better than the others.”
Mats Wilander praises Nadal
Mats Wilander pointed out that 36-year-old Rafael Nadal now has the ability to win on different surfaces and venues. “Having won there for the second time for someone like him, now he has won all of the Majors twice or more, that’s massive.
That’s where he separates himself from the great Roger Federer, who only won one French Open. So Rafa now knows how to win in all the different venues,” said Wilander on Eurosport. “He just has to get there healthy.
He’s going to be an absolute animal and I’m sure that he is going to play his best tennis. He has a big chance to win the Australian Open, as he does the French Open,” said Wilander.
