DANIIL MEDVEDEV MAKES ‘VULNERABLE’ NOVAK DJOKOVIC CLAIM AS HE ASSESSES THE SERB’S CLAY-COURT PROWESS
Daniil Medvedev suggested Novak Djokovic’s game is “a bit more vulnerable” on clay courts as he discussed the great Serbian’s record on the surface.
The world No 4 did, though, laud Djokovic’s “amazing” record on clay and argued his surface versatility is why he is “definitely one of the best sportsmen in the world.”
Medvedev is the No 2 seed at the 2024 Italian Open, where he is the defending champion, while world No 1 Djokovic is the top seed. The pair could, therefore, meet in the final at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
Djokovic is playing his first event since the Monte Carlo Masters in April, having skipped the Madrid Open. The 24-time Grand Slam winner is seeking his seventh Rome crown and is looking to win his first title of 2024.
Medvedev has not won a tournament since his Italian Open triumph a year ago — his 20th ATP title and first on clay courts. The 2021 US Open winner will face Jack Draper in his opening match, while Djokovic will take on Corentin Moutet.
READ MORE: The 6 players who have beaten Novak Djokovic at the Italian Open: Rafael Nadal features heavily
Speaking ahead of his title defence in Rome, Medvedev was asked if Djokovic’s prowess as a clay-court force has been overlooked because of Rafael Nadal’s dominance on the surface.
“Well, for sure. When we have Rafa in the same generation winning 14 Roland Garros, I don’t know, 10 Rome, I don’t even remember the exact number, it’s tough to find anyone close to his legacy on clay,” the Russian said in his pre-tournament press conference.
“But Novak, he’s amazing on all the surfaces. Maybe because of Rafa on clay, he has a bit less titles than he could have had. It works the same for Rafa. If there would not be Novak on the hard and grass, maybe Rafa would have more titles there.
“Yeah, he’s an amazing player on every surface. I do think in his game, grass court and hard court is, like, his game is more suited for these surfaces. That’s where I find Novak amazing.
“Even if my opinion from the side is that on clay his game might have been a bit more vulnerable… He still wins three Roland Garros, I think Monte Carlo two times, Rome maybe three or four (six).
“It’s amazing. That’s why Novak is definitely one of the best sportsmen in the world.”
The 28-year-old also gave an update on the injury that forced him to retire from his Madrid Open quarter-final against Jiri Lehecka last week.
“I’m feeling good now. I had minor injury, I would say. Like, what was it, three days stayed in Madrid, recovered a lot. I came here, hit with the sparrings to control my movement. Today I hit full,” Medvedev explained.
“The match, even have an extra day tomorrow, so ready to play. Yeah, normally no risk to do anything like worse to the injury, so I will play and see how it goes.”
READ MORE: Novak Djokovic’s unrivalled success after turning 30 illustrated by astonishing statistic