‘I was scared of Novak Djokovic,’ admits Daniil Medvedev after winning US Open

Daniil Medvedev admitted he was ‘scared’ of facing Novak Djokovic again before beating him in the final of the US Open.

The Russian romped to his maiden major title in New York, beating Djokovic 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Medvedev also played the world number one in the Australian Open final this season – and was on the receiving end of a thrashing.

And, after exorcising those demons in New York, Medvedev says he worried what a repeat performance and result would do to his confidence.

“It’s tough to soak in,” Medvedev told Eurosport. “I am still cramping a little bit because of nerves.

“I was cramping in the last game of the match and I thought if I don’t make this game I was in big trouble to win these championships.

“I am just super happy because when I play against these guys, I’ve lost two finals.

“When I had Novak again, I was scared in a way because I thought if he destroys me one more time it will bring my confidence down. I’m really happy to win.

“The funny thing about Novak is, with many players you need a plan in your head,” he said.

“With Novak, you need 15 because every game I’ve played with him, either that I’ve won or lost, was different. He was nervous, I was nervous – that’s tennis.

“He definitely could have played better, I could have played better. But my serve was really good today, I am really happy with it.

“I love my – we can call it Russian style – when I don’t celebrate too many victories. I try not to show too many emotions because it actually helps me. If I showed a lot of emotions there would be a lot of bad ones also.”

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