‘I’m scared to play Rafa’ – Daniil Medvedev reflects on his rivalry with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Russian tennis star, Daniil Medvedev stated that playing against Rafael Nadal on clay is more challenging and tougher than facing Novak Djokovic on hard courts. Medvedev kickstarted his Indian Well campaign with a win against America’s Brandon Nakashima in the round of 64 on Saturday.

The 27-year-old is currently in a great form with three consecutive ATP Singles titles before heading into the Indian Wells. While speaking to the media after the match against Nakashima, Medvelev reflected on his rivalry with Nadal and Djokovic. He said that playing Nadal on the clay is “the worst and best challenge in tennis” due to his dominance on the surface. He later also added that hev is afraid to play Nadal 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,” said Medvedev while addressing the media.

“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,” he further added.

‘I don’t know why there he (Djokovic) plays’ – Medvedev

Medvedev also talked about the challenge with the 22 time Grand Slam champion Djokovic stating that it is tough to beat him in Australia. He also spoke about his some close encounters with world’s number one and said that he doesn’t know the reason behind his dominance in Australia.

“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.” said Medvedev

“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. Yeah, tough challenges, and I hope I can do it one day in my career,” he added.

Medvedev will now take on Ilya Ivashka from Belarusian on Sunday to secure a place in the third round of the 2023 Indian Wells Tournament. He has won his last 15 matches and is currently standing in the fifth position in the tournament.