‘He always seeks revenge’ – How Rafael Nadal mentality will fuel Daniil Medvedev in rematch

Daniil Medvedev will look to channel the fighting spirit of both Rafael Nadal and the other members of the ‘Big Four’ when he takes to the court against Nadal in Acapulco. 

Less than a month after their epic Australian Open final battle, the incoming world number one will take on the 21-time Slam champion once more in the semi-finals of the Mexican Open.

When asked how he will overcome Nadal, Medvedev said that the answer was in his opponent himself.

“I have to learn from the best, which is him (Nadal), Federer, Djokovic, Murray,” the Russian said after his quarter-final victory over Yoshihito Nishioka.

“Always when they were losing a tough fight, they were trying to get their revenge.

“Sometimes they managed to do it, sometimes not. That’s what I’m going to try to do [when] I play Rafa [Nadal].”

Medvedev has faced Nadal five times before, only claiming victory once, at the 2020 ATP Finals, an event he went on to win.

All five meetings have come at Masters 1000 level or higher, meaning that Acapulco, as an ATP 500 level event, is the smallest stage on which the pair have met to date.

While Medvedev expressed his thoughts ahead of the encounter, Nadal did the same.

“Everybody knows how difficult it is to play against Daniil [Medvedev],” Nadal admitted after winning his own quarter-final by defeating Tommy Paul.

“I know I have to play at my highest level if I want to have any chance, and that’s what I’m going to try.

“I have to play my game.

“Everybody knows how difficult the final was in Australia.

“Tomorrow is going to be another battle.

“I know he’s playing well, with plenty of confidence, I am excited to play that match.”

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