Medvedev looking to spoil Alcaraz vs Djokovic rivalry at US Open
Daniil Medvedev thinks the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic is great, but is looking to insert himself in the conversation
Heading into the US Open, all eyes are on two players: Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. But Daniil Medvedev has different ideas, and plans to insert himself into the conversation over the next fortnight.
The 2021 US Open champion is the current world No 3, having won five titles so far this season.
Is he upset that few are talking about him in the lead up to the final Grand Slam of the year? Far from it.
Medvedev says all the attention on Alcaraz vs Djokovic is great
When asked at the Flushing Meadows media day if he gets irritated by the majority of the pre-US Open attention being on Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev’s response is clear:
“No, I think honestly it’s great. I think it’s great for tennis that we have these two guys playing against each other right now.”
One of the quirks about Daniil Medvedev is his refreshingly logical approach to the sport. Explaining why he’s perfectly comfortable with Alcaraz and Djokovic dominating the headlines, Medvedev elaborates:
“Tennis is one against one. We have rankings, 52 weeks, unless someone was injured, that’s the ranking you have, done. Now they’re 1, 2 by the margin. I think they are maybe a thousand, 500 points ahead of me.”
“I think we still talk about me” – Medvedev
The Russian goes on to explain that behind the scenes, he’s quietly looking to shift the narrative in men’s tennis.
“It’s a great story, but then the tournament starts and hopefully we can — when I say ‘we’, me personally or someone else — we’re going to try to beat them and stop them from playing each other.
“I think that’s normal we talk about them. I do think we still talk about me. I’m not feeling too bad, but I’m going to try.
“The goal is, after this US Open, that we talk about me, so I’m going to try to do it.”
Having spoiled Djokovic’s chance at history in 2021 when he defeated him in the final, denying the 23-time Grand Slam champion a calendar slam, Medvedev is once again looking to play the role of party-pooper here in New York.
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