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'Happy I'm not playing Nadal', says Medvedev
© afp.com/Dimitar DILKOFF

'Happy I'm not playing Nadal', says Medvedev

Published by , Friday 05/24/24 14:49

Daniil Medvedev said he was "happy" not to have been drawn to face 14-time champion Rafael Nadal in the French Open first round as the great Spaniard prepares to bid an emotional farewell to the tournament.

Nadal, who has only lost three times in 115 matches at Roland Garros since his title-winning debut in 2005, is playing the French Open for the last time.

In a blockbuster first match, unseeded Nadal will face fourth-ranked Alexander Zverev and world number five Medvedev could not be more delighted.

"I'm not shy to say I'm happy it's not me playing against him first round," admitted Medvedev on Friday, a day after practising with Nadal.

Former world number one and 22-time Grand Slam title winner Nadal, whose ranking has slumped to 276 after featuring in just four tournaments since January last year, will turn 38 on June 3.

However, Medvedev warned Zverev that Nadal is far from a fading force.

"There's a lot of hard work, a lot of mental effort. Sometimes people forget he has a lot of talent in his hands also," said the Russian.

"We were warming up serves and then he did three in a row, volley, dropshots, banana ones, with backspin, and it was funny.

"We were saying, 'Yeah, no talent, just hard work!'"

Nadal holds a 7-3 winning head-to-head record against Zverev with five of those victories coming on clay.

The last time they met was in the 2022 semi-finals in Paris when the German was forced to retire after suffering a serious ankle injury.

"It's tough to play Rafa," added Medvedev.

"He has the capability to spin the ball not like other players, get these high balls especially on clay, is not easy.

"Then we go to where he fights for every point, he brings intensity to every point. You know you're going to be tired, you know it's going to be tough. It's not easy."

Source: AFP

Latest comments comments
Retire!!! Jeez!
ad6771 ad6771 il y a 3 heures
Too bad that the TOTAL counts.......beside many other "countings". :)
StAdam StAdam il y a 21 heures
Idemooooooooo GOAT
StAdam StAdam il y a 21 heures
EVERYONE "hopes" to win a medal... Rafa has no chance,neither does Novak. Those days are OVER.
Fred Phoesh Fred Phoesh il y a 1 jour
Sara Errani? She's as old as Nadal and like Nadal, lost a step or two. Interesting choice.
SH321 SH321 il y a 1 jour
The guy is 27 and this is his first tournament back in 1.5 years. Too soon to say that his best is behind him imo
HenryRugg HenryRugg il y a 2 jours
Top des commentaires comments
Go Katie to defend your title!!
2 thumb_up
Kurapika K. Kurapika K.
Hopefully Katie 🇬🇧, has had time to recover from her semi final earlier today & will be able to successfully defend her title from 2023 & lift the trophy once more ✌️
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Aladdin Sane Aladdin Sane
Congrats & extremely well played Jack 🇬🇧, a good comeback after loss of 1st set, to seal the victory & collect your 1st ATP 250 title & trophy 👏 👏👌
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Aladdin Sane Aladdin Sane
Korda win
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Indian Tip Indian Tip
All you need to do to beat Pliskova is get her moving, back & forth, side to side. She is one lazy tennis player
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Pieface Pieface