Daniil Medvedev remains confident that he can turn things around if he gets his revenge at the Australian Open.
The 26-year-old admits that their meeting at the Adelaide International 1 season 2023 really went in Djokovic’s favor, but stated that his confidence will not be shaken the next time he meets a Serb national or Rafael Nadal who leads their head to head by 5 -1.
The 2021 US Open champion took a two-set lead against Nadal in the 2022 Australian Open final before the Spaniard turned things around and won in five sets.
When he leaves Adelaide, he will be looking to make a splash in the first Grand Slam of 2022 and possibly get another chance to challenge Djokovic or Nadal, the two players who have beaten him at the Australian Open the last two seasons.
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“I think with the feeling that I had in Adelaide, I can again win against great players, win tournaments,” said Daniil Medvedev.
“Once again, Novak is in a different class, 21 Grand Slam titles. But overall, I feel positive. I have to stay positive because the first Grand Slam is just around the corner. I want to show my best ability. I want to experience the great atmosphere like in Adelaide.”
Some of the best wins former world number 1 tennis player achieved after against Djokovic and Nadal.
In the 2020 season, he won the ATP Finals by defeating the Spanish national in the semifinals. One season, he won the first Grand Slam title of his career at the US Open by beating a Serb in the final.
He will use these wins as a boost of confidence should he meet either of them at the 2023 Australian Open.
“Every time I fight them, before the match the only thing I think about is that I have to win,” admits Medvedev.
“I have to try my best to win. I managed to do it. Rafa, I think I beat him one time, but I still managed to do it. I had some tough matches against him. Novak, I won a Grand Slam against Novak. I trust myself.”
“But sometimes the pitch is more challenging. Sometimes you can’t give a challenge. The meeting in Adelaide is an example. I didn’t pass the test. Next time when I face him, I will try to do it again.”
Despite not being champions in Adelaide, Medvedev still sees positives from the three wins he has bagged. With one week until the Australian Open, he believes he is still in a convincing position to claim the second Grand Slam title of his career. After finishing runner up in Melbourne in the last two seasons, he will certainly be satisfied when he leaves Melbourne with the trophy home.
