'Djokovic Is Different Even In His Face At Grand Slams' Says Medvedev

Friday, 28 April 2023 at 05:00

Updated at Saturday, 16 August 2025 at 14:31

byJamie Malachy

Daniil Medvedev has described what he feels is a key difference in Novak Djokovic's crucial ingredient for success - peaking during the Grand Slams.

Speaking to the press ahead of his first match at this year's Madrid Open, the Russian claimed that the 22-time Grand Slam champion would structure his season so that we would come into his best form during the four Grand Slam fortnights.

Medvedev's comment came in response to a question about whether the 2021 US Open champion was worried that he'd almost played too well in the stretch between the Australian Open and Roland Garros.

"Yeah, yeah, I see what you mean. The thing is that I have always been like this, you know. Somehow we see this that I would say Novak is probably the best in the history for this, that you see kind of even in his face that on Grand Slams he's different."

- Medvedev on Djokovic peaking for the Grand Slam tournaments

Medvedev lost to the Serb in the 2021 final of the Australian Open, but did beat him in the same year in the final of New York to clinch his first ever Grand Slam title.

"Me, I still didn't find let's say this power to come on the court and say, Well, today I'm gonna be the best version of myself. So then because I cannot be like this, I just try to do it every day, and every day is impossible, but as many days as I can, I try to do it."

- Medvedev on getting the best out of himself at the right time

The Russian went on to say that, even though he could perhaps adjust his approach, he is currently happy with performing well at tournaments outside of the four majors.

"I'm really happy that I managed to win so many tournaments. You know, would it be better to win one slam than maybe play the series of five tournaments? Maybe, but that's not how it works for me. I just try to play my best every day, and I'm not scared. I think the better I play at these tournaments, the better I can play in Grand Slams."