Daniil Medvedev ”has some distance to go” to reach the Big 3 level says renowned commentator
Seven time Grand Slam winner Mats Wilander feels that the new World number one Daniil Medvedev cannot be considered at the same level as tennis’s big three of Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal yet.
Speaking to EuroSport, Wilander discussed the Russian reaching the number one spot in the ATP rankings and how the player needs to win more Grand Slams to cement his legacy as World number one. ”To really go out and be looked upon as the best player in the world everyday he needs to win a couple of more Grand Slams whilst he is number one in the world.”
Wilander then went on to explain how the Russsain’s semi-final defeat to Rafael Nadal in Acapulco last month proves that he is not at the same level as the ‘Big three’ just yet.
”I think in Acapulco I can easily explain why Daniil Medvedev lost, because of conditions and that’s his problem. That is why he cannot be considered the best player in the world everyday, day in and day out no matter what the surface or the conditions is. If you compare that to when Roger Federer was number one and Nadal was number one and Novak was number one, often they were favorites every tournament they played whether clay, hardcourt or grass, that is not the case for Daniil Medvedev.”
Despite believing that Medvedev is not the best player in the world on a day to day basis, he does think that the current US Open champion is deserving of the number one spot. ”I think to have Daniil Medvedev as number one in the world, it means that he is the most consistent player throughout the 12 months from where you count the ranking. Is he the best player in the world day to day?. Yes some days he is but obviously losing to Rafa 6-3 6-3 in Acapulco doesn’t mean he is the best player every single day but in terms of consistency he deserves to be there.”
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