Djokovic vs. Medvedev: Match-up, stats, track record, everything you need to know – updated ahead of ATP Finals
All you need to know about the rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev after the two men’s latest clash in the 2023 US Open final
Danill Medvedev of Russia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia pose for a photo together before the men’s singles final on day fourteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. || 207452_0044 2021 ATP grand chelem NPStrans NYC sport tennis toppic USA TODAY Sports WTA
Djokovic vs Medvedev: The Face-Off
The match-up between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev is fast becoming one of the most sought after in the sport. Since 2017 and the first meeting on tour between the Serb and the Russian, the rivalry between the two men has grown. It also took centre stage in the hunt for the world No 1 spot.
The most recent battle between the two came in the US Open final in 2023, with Djokovic coming out on top 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3. The second set lasted one hour, 44 minutes and the match contained countless epic rallies. Djokovic’s win gave him a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title.
The Serb now holds a 10-5 edge, including five of the last six meetings.
Djokovic won their first battle of 2023, defeating Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final of the Adelaide International, an event he went on to win.
But Medvedev got his revenge with a fine 6-4, 6-4 win over Djokovic in the semi-finals in Dubai. In Grand Slam events, Djokovic now leads 3-1, with Medvedev’s one win coming at the US Open in 2021, when he denied Djokovic the calendar-year Grand Slam.
Of their 15 meetings, 13 have taken place on hard court, the favourite surface for both, where Djokovic leads 9-4. The latter won their only meeting on grass in Eastbourne in 2017, while Medvedev has the advantage on clay, surprisingly, thanks to his success in Monte-Carlo in 2019.
How many titles have Djokovic and Medvedev won?
Novak Djokovic’s and Daniil Medvedev’s achievements are not of equal weight and can hardly be compared because nine years separate the two men, who are obviously not at the same stage in their careers.
The Serb is one of the best players in history and at 36 has cemented his status as the G.O.A.T. thanks to his 24 Grand Slam titles. World No 1 for the first time in his career in 2011, Djokovic holds the record for the longest tenure at the top of world tennis (390 weeks at No 1 as of September 11, 2023). The Serb finished 2021 as world No 1 for the seventh time in his career, surpassing the record he shared with Pete Sampras.
The 27-year-old Daniil Medvedev broke into the top 10 in 2019, a year that saw him explode on the top level with a remarkable end to the season that included a first Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati and a first Grand Slam final at the US Open, when he pushed Rafael Nadal to the fifth set.
- Novak Djokovic has won 97 titles in his career, including:
Grand Slams: 24
ATP Finals: 6
Masters 1000s: 40
ATP 500s: 15
ATP 250: 12
- Daniil Medvedev has won 20 titles in his career, including:
Grand Slams: 1
ATP Finals: 1
Masters 1000s: 6
ATP 500s: 4
ATP 250s: 8
Interestingly, Medvedev has never won the same title twice.
Who was stronger between Djokovic and Medvedev at the same age?
At 25, the age at which Daniil Medvedev won his first Grand Slam title, Novak Djokovic had already won six Grand Slam titles. The Serb was a precocious phenomenon. He broke into the top 10 at 19 and lifted his first major the following year at the 2008 Australian Open, beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final.
Who has the best stats?
Novak Djokovic has won 1083 matches in his career, compared to Daniil Medvedev‘s 333 (as of November 16, 2023)
Novak Djokovic has the best win ratio in history, having won 83.6% of the matches he has played in his career (1083 wins to 212 losses).
Daniil Medvedev has won 71.3% of the matches he has played in his career (333wins to 134 losses). Novak Djokovic has won more than $176 million in career prize money, more than any other male or female tennis player in the history of the sport. Medvedev, on the other hand, has won more than $34.7 million in career prize money.
Which has been the biggest match between Djokovic and Medvedev?
On September 13, 2021, Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev faced off in the US Open final. This match will go down in history as the one that denied Djokovic the calendar-year Grand Slam but also as the one that opened Medvedev’s Grand Slam account.
Djokovic arrived at Flushing Meadows having won the first three Grand Slams of the season. The undisputed world No. 1, the Serb had announced his goal of creating history and was one match away from winning every Grand Slam that season, a feat not accomplished in the men’s game since Rod Laver in 1969.
Daniil Medvedev, the second seed, warned before the tournament began: “We are here to stop Novak from winning the US Open.” The Russian kept his promise. Stunned by the weight of history, Djokovic failed to show up at his best as he lost the final in three sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. On the other side of the court, Medvedev was imperious on his serve, returned perfectly by choosing to position himself far behind his line and didn’t leave Djokovic any angle by hitting hard.
As the match headed towards a surprise three-set victory, Medvedev was caught out as he served for the match at 5-2. On his first match point, he double-faulted. Djokovic erased a break point and pulled back to 5-4. As Djokovic returned to the bench, his fist clenched, he hinted that he was not going down without a fight. But seconds later, the champion burst into tears to a standing ovation from the crowd, revealing the extent of the pressure he was now carrying on his shoulders. In his next service game, Medvedev held his nerve to win his first Grand Slam title on his third match point.
“I felt something I’ve never felt in my life here in New York,” the world No 1 told a press conference afterwards. “The crowd made me feel very special. They surprised me pleasantly. I didn’t know, I didn’t expect anything, but the amount of support and energy and love I got from the crowd was something I’ll remember forever. I mean, that’s why at the time of the changeover I just cried. The emotion, the energy was so strong. I mean, it’s as strong as winning 21 Grand Slams. That’s how I felt, honestly.”
