Novak Djokovic has set himself apart from his competition this season. With three Grand Slam victories, he is one of the major favorites to complete a calendar Grand Slam in Flushing Meadows this year.
One of the players on the ATP tour who can derail the Serb is Daniil Medvedev. While Djokovic pulled out of the ongoing Cincinnati Open, Medvedev competes as the top seed in the tournament. Ahead of his opening match today, he made a veiled comment at the press conference praising the World No. 1.
Daniil Medvedev subtly terms Novak Djokovic as the greatest
Medvedev faced Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open earlier this year. Despite the Russian’s best efforts, Djokovic sealed his ninth title in Melbourne with a straight sets victory. In the eight times they’ve faced each other, Medvedev won just three of those matches.
Despite his age of 34, Djokovic continues to perform at the top of his game. Although he couldn’t clinch a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, he won all three Grand Slam tournaments so far in 2021. Hence, there’s no doubt he will be a clear favorite to win a record-breaking 21st Grand Slam in Flushing Meadows.
Addressing a press conference in Cincinnati today, Medvedev hinted he considered the World No. 1 as the best player in the game. He said, “I prefer not to answer. I have my opinion in my mind. I think, if you take all my interviews together, you’re going to know which one I prefer and which I think is going to be.”
Q: Regardless of the numbers, who is going to be the GOAT?#Medvedev: I prefer not to answer. I have my opinion in my mind. I think, if you take all my interviews together, you're going to know which one I prefer and which I think is going to be (the GOAT).
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) August 18, 2021
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal – The Greatest Rivalry Explained in Numbers
Medvedev to face Mackenzie McDonald later today
The Russian will open his title challenge in Cincinnati by taking on Citi Open finalist Mackenzie McDonald.
Fresh off winning the National Bank Open last week, the World No. 2 would look to keep the momentum going in Cincinnati this week. Winning here could give him a world of confidence before the US Open since he said the conditions here mimic those of Flushing Meadows.
Can Medvedev secure his second title in the hard courts of Cincinnati? Only time will tell.
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