Daniil Medvedev: ‘I’m scared to play Rafael Nadal on clay’

Daniil Medvedev believes facing Rafael Nadal on clay is the “worst and best challenge in tennis” while he also rates Novak Djokovic pretty highly on hard courts in Australia.
Medvedev and Nadal have met five times in top-level tennis and all five have been played on hard courts with the Spaniard leading their head-to-head record 5-1.
The Russian, meanwhile, has faced Djokovic 14 times with the Serbian leading the H2H 9-5 with one encounter coming on clay and one on grass. They have also met three times in Australia and Djokovic have won all three matches.
After kicking off his Indian Wells Open campaign with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Brandon Nakashima in the second round on Friday, Medvedev was asked what is tougher in terms of baseline game: Rafa on clay or Novak on hard court.
Nadal, of course, is known as the King of Clay having won the French Open a record 14 times and numerous other titles on the red dirt while Djokovic collected his 10th Australian Open title in January.
“I didn’t play Rafa on clay. Rafa on clay is probably the worst and best challenge in tennis. When I say ‘worst’, it’s because he lost, what, I don’t know, 10 matches? I’m not even sure he lost 10. I mean, last years he was losing a little bit more in tournaments like Rome and Monte-Carlo,” he replied.
“But, yeah, I will be honest, I’m scared to play Rafa on clay. In a way I want to try it, and for sure I will fight to win, but that must be scary to go out against Rafa on clay.
“Novak I managed to beat him few times. But again, that’s two guys who have 22 Grand Slams. Yeah, I would say, you know what? Novak in Australia is tough. I had few, I would say, I lost probably four times against him, four or five there. Didn’t win once even though some of them were close battles, especially ATP Cup or the first time I played him in the Australian Open.
“But thinking back of these matches, I don’t know why there he plays, in my opinion, better than on other continents or courts. But, that’s tough, same like Rafa on clay, he barely loses there.
“Tough challenges, and I hope I can do it one day in my career.”
Latest
-
ATP Tour
Which ATP star was the king of the comeback in 2023?
Alexander Zverev looks set to be named the comeback player of the 2023 season.
-
Tennis Features
The 5 records Novak Djokovic could break in 2024
Novak Djokovic is an unstoppable juggernaut when it comes to breaking records.
-
Australian Open
Trio of former World No 1s go straight into Australian Open draw with Special Rankings and wildcard
Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber and Caroline Wozniacki have been handed main draw entries.
-
Tennis News
Brisbane International sports ‘best-ever’ field with nine Grand Slam winners headed to Queensland in January
The Brisbane International in 2024 will include nine Grand Slam champions.
-
Tennis News
Maria Sharapova issues stark social media warning
Maria Sharapova recently discussed the stress imposed on today’s society by social media.
-
Tennis News
Ben Shelton thrives on personal attention from Roger Federer’s On Sports
Who backs rising star Ben Shelton?
-
WTA Tour
Historic clay-swing tournament already drawing big names with Jessica Pegula and Ons Jabeur entered
Ons Jabeur and Jessica Pegula have signed up for the Charleston Open.
-
WTA Tour
Iga Swiatek’s 2024 tennis schedule: Where will the world No 1 begin her new season?
Which tournaments are likely to feature on Iga Swiatek’s 2024 tennis schedule?
-
Tennis News
Novak Djokovic takes protégé Hamad Medjedovic under his wing again in another act of kindness
Hamad Medjedovic to join Novak Djokovic in Dubai.