“Couldn’t Fake It to Lose Two Sets”: Daniil Medvedev Opens Up on Novak Djokovic’s Injury Row

Tennis Australia worked its fingers to the bone to organize the Australian Open 2021. And after weeks of mesmerizing tennis, it is between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev to win the Major.

Until now, the Russian has won three titles and 20 matches in a row, including 12 against the Top 10. On the other side, Djokovic survived an apparent abdominal injury to reach the final for a ninth time.

Consequently, controversy arose around his injury and his immediate recovery in the big matches. For that, the Serbian ace has announced a documentary on his Australian Open recovery.

Daniil Medvedev, 25, is in his second Grand Slam final, put his thoughts on Novak Djokovic’s journey in the tournament.

Read More: “That Isn’t Still Happening”: Novak Djokovic Opens Up on Next-Gen Taking Over ‘Big 3’

Medvedev shares his thoughts on seeing Djokovic playing with an injury

At first, the fourth seed explained that due to the lockdown, he could watch him play. But since Djokovic played his previous rounds during the night session, Medvedev would hit the hay in between the match.

Moreover, Daniil agreed there has been a controversy about the 33-year-old’s injury and has been surprised with the results.

“Yeah, for sure, some controversies. Against Fritz, I went to sleep. I actually thought he was gonna lose because we saw he was in pain. He couldn’t fake it to lose two sets. He was up,” Medvedev said.

Further ahead, the Russian mentioned that playing under pain must not have been easy for the 17-time Grand Slam champion. However, World No. 1 kept coming back and winning every match as a champion.

“Next matches were for sure not easy,” Daniil added. “Against Sascha, I went to sleep when he was down a break in the fourth. So was some crazy matches.”

Read More: Daniil Medvedev Reveals How Experience of US Open Final Will Help Him Against Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev: The final

Considering all that, Daniil knows he will face a top-of-the-drawer fight from the defending champion in the final. Yet there are many backing the Russian to be the new winner in Australia.

Medvedev concluded, “Yesterday he was on top of Aslan. And he said that he felt the best. So, I don’t expect anything easy in terms of his physical abilities on Sunday.”

To sum up, Daniil has been fit as a fiddle for the last four months and is ready for Djokovic. But the Serbian too will leave everything out on the court to win his 18 Grand Slam title.

Who will win the Australian Open 2021?

Also Read: Australian Open 2021 Final: Novak Djokovic vs Daniil Medvedev, Preview, Head-to-Head, and Prediction