Daniil Medvedev hails Novak Djokovic as ‘the greatest’

LONDON – Daniil Medvedev described Novak Djokovic as “the greatest” on Saturday, defying the conventional wisdom to place Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the same pedestal as the 36-year-old.

The Serb racked up a men’s record 23rd Grand Slam title with a third French Open triumph on June 11.

He is about to launch a bid to equal Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon wins, which will move him alongside Margaret Court as the all-time top Slam singles winner with 24 titles.

“I think if I saw it right, Novak is almost 50 per cent. I think I saw he played 70 Majors, and 34 times he was in the final. I don’t know how is it possible. He doesn’t have bad days?” said Medvedev.

“Actually, he does, like everybody, but even on these bad days, he manages to beat the opponent. I don’t know how he’s doing it. That’s why he’s for me the greatest in the history of tennis.”

Should Djokovic successfully defend his Wimbledon title, he will just need to pocket the US Open in September to become the first man since 1969 to claim a calendar Grand Slam. Djokovic had the same opportunity in 2021 but lost the final in New York – to Medvedev.

“To be able to beat him when he was going for a Grand Slam, maybe he was a little bit tighter than usual, but I played an amazing match,” recalled the Russian.

Djokovic’s career-long rival Andy Murray, meanwhile, described the Serb’s achievement in reaching 23 Majors as “phenomenal”.

Murray, a former world No. 1, was the last man to defeat Djokovic on Centre Court when he won the first of his two Wimbledon titles in 2013.

That was the only time in their 36-match head-to-head they have ever met at the All England Club.

“What he’s gone on to achieve in the latter stages of his career, it’s been incredible. Also doesn’t look like he’s slowing down,” said Murray, who practised with Djokovic at the tournament on Saturday.

“What he did at the French Open, it was phenomenal.

“Brilliant performance against Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals. Just very clinical, considering how much was on the line. It shows the strength of character that he’s got.”

On world No. 1 Alcaraz, who looks to be Djokovic’s main threat in London, the Serb said: “I think for someone his age, it’s impressive, everything he is doing. With his team, of course, he’s got Juan Carlos Ferrero, former world No. 1 (with one Slam title), in his corner who can guide him and mentor him.

“For me, I don’t need to have Carlos or anybody else really to find that extra drive and motivation when I enter Slams.”

“When I enter Centre Court, it just awakens something in me and I’m able to perform at a very high level,” added Djokovic, who opens his campaign on Monday against 67th-ranked clay-court lover Pedro Cachin.

“Grass courts are the rarest surface we have in the sport, which is contrary to what you had maybe 40, 50, 60 years ago where you played three out of four Slams were played on grass.

“It does take time – more than any other surface – to really get used to it. But I think in the past 10 years of my career, I’ve adapted very quickly. I think the results here are a testament to that.”

His coach Goran Ivanisevic, himself a former Wimbledon champion, described Djokovic as “not an easy guy... especially when something’s not going his way”.

But he warned that the Serb is much more of a handful for his opponents than his coaches.

“He takes your legs, then he takes your soul, then he digs your grave and you have a funeral and you’re dead. Bye-bye. Thank you for coming,” he said of the Serb’s Grand Slam mindset. AFP, REUTERS