Top
Novak Djokovic Daniil Medvedev US Open ATP 2021
Daniil Medvedev, Novak Djokovic, Tennis News

‘I try to learn from him’ – Daniil Medvedev holds Novak Djokovic in extremely high regards


Daniil Medvedev has waxed lyrical about Novak Djokovic when asked to build his perfect player, choosing four of Djokovic’s qualities and calling him “extraordinary.”

In a Davis Cup Twitter post, Medvedev was asked build the perfect player from attributes of players competing at this year’s Davis Cup. There were eight categories in total; best forehand, best backhand, most talented, best mentality, best athleticism, best serve, best return and funniest.

Medvedev’s Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) helped Djokovic’s Serbia progress to the quarter-finals when they beat Spain to keep Serbia’s Davis Cup campaign alive.

Russian World number one Medvedev has always sung the praises of 20-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic and the two share a friendly relationship together, despite their on-court battles. However, seven-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander wants to see “more fireworks” between the duo.

As such, Medvedev placed Djokovic in half of the categories. Medvedev believes World number one Djokovic has the best backhand, mentality, athleticism and the best return.

On Djokovic’s backhand, Medvedev felt “it’s one of the best backhands in the history of tennis, I think.”

Djokovic is also the most athletic player according to Medvedev, saying “just because of the way he handles himself on the court in tough situations, he’s extraordinary and I try to learn from him.”

Similarly, Medvedev sees Djokovic as the most physical player. Medvedev said “we’ve had some physical matches and many times I feel like he’s tired, but then [on] the next point he’s capable of running, running and running, and then the next day he’s capable of doing this again.”

“You can put him in a lot of categories and his return is pretty special,” Medvedev said on the Serbian’s return.

Medvedev also felt his compatriot Andrey Rublev boasts the best forehand, describing his forehand as “bomb” and also feels he is the funniest player at the tournament.

Moreover, when asked about who he thought was the most talented, Medvedev chose two players in Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, feeling they both had enjoyed spectacular breakthrough seasons.


🎾 Read >> Breaking tennis news

🎾 Follow >> 24/7 LIVE scores

🎾 Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter

🎾 Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club

🎾 Social >> Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube

🎾 Order >> World’s best tennis magazine

🎾 Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner


By
0

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.