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Medvedev no match for 'cyborgs of tennis'

3 minute read

Daniil Medvedev says the big three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are unbeatable when they're in the zone, calling them "cyborgs of tennis".

DANIIL MEDVEDEV of Russia plays a backhand in his match during the Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia.
DANIIL MEDVEDEV of Russia plays a backhand in his match during the Brisbane International at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Describing Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as "cyborgs of tennis", Daniil Medvedev concedes his best is currently not good enough to topple the big three when they're in the grand slam zone.

After losing to Nadal in the 2019 US Open final, the Russian was no match against Djokovic in Sunday's Australian Open decider, losing a one-sided affair 7-5 6-2 6-2.

But Medvedev was upbeat despite the result, saying the star trio are simply just better players.

"When they're in the zone, and I'm not shy to say it, I feel like they're just better tennis players, which shows in facts and numbers, than the rest of us," the 25-year-old said.

"When we are also in the zone, we can bring them a big fight, we can win some matches, some maybe big titles, but it's just that the percentage is on their side."

The victory was Djokovic's ninth at Melbourne Park from nine final appearances and Medvedev had already done the maths on the stunning achievement.

"I'm 25 now, so to win nine Australian Opens, I need to win every year until I'm 34," he said.

"I believe in myself, but I don't think I'm able to do it.

"Same with Rafa (Nadal) - 13 at Roland Garros - we're talking about some cyborgs of tennis, in a good way. They're just unbelievable."

Medvedev, who will move to world No.3 after his Open charge, admitted he could have performed better in the final after entering it on a 20-match winning streak.

But he didn't feel that would have guaranteed him a win over Djokovic, who he called the "King of Melbourne".

"You know the question is how did he manage to win here nine times out of nine? Probably all the nine times he was better than his opponent.

"He definitely was good and I definitely could have done better but even if I would have done better, it doesn't mean that the score would be different."

Medvedev said despite the scoreline being closer in his five-set loss to Nadal, he now felt closer to a maiden major title.

Djokovic predicted after the match it was "just a matter of time" before his younger opponent won his first.

"I think I got closer because I always say experience is the key for me," Medvedev said.

"Next time if I play Novak ever here in the final, I will do some things on the court, maybe off the court also, differently.

"I'll try to do something better - it doesn't mean that I will succeed, but that's the life of a tennis player."

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