Medvedev wouldn't have wanted to be in Zverev's shoes: "To have him in the first round is really tough though (smile)".

Like most of the participants in the tournament, Daniil Medvedev appeared at the press conference on Friday. As he kicks off his tournament against Dominik Koepfer, the Russian was inevitably asked about the upcoming clash between Zverev and Nadal.

Although he could well have found himself in Zverev's shoes, the world number 5 was happy to avoid a first round clash with the king of clay: "Playing Rafa at Roland-Garros is a great event, but it's also a difficult draw. When you get him in the third round or the last 16, now that he's no longer ranked, it's already tough, but to get him in the first round is really tough all the same (smiles).

Especially as he's won 14 times here. I trained against him yesterday and he played well, better than what I'd seen of him on television. I didn't think I was bad and he still beat me. I think it's going to be a great match. I can't say I'm not happy about avoiding him in the first round."